Thousands of faithful attended the feast of St Paraskeva in Iași on 14 October. On this occasion, Metropolitan Teofan of Moldavia and Bukovina highlighted the participation of pilgrims “who wish to follow in the footsteps of the saints, draw inspiration from their lives and receive God’s help through their prayers”.
This year, the relics of St Paisius of Sihăstria were also placed for veneration alongside those of St Paraskeva.
The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by an assembly of 28 Romanian and foreign hierarchs, including Metropolitan Dimitrios of France and Exarch of Europe (Ecumenical Patriarchate), Metropolitan George of Kitros, Katerini and Platamonas (Church of Greece), Bishop Qais of Erzurum (Patriarchate of Antioch) and Auxiliary Bishop Iakov of Stobi of the Metropolis of Strumica (Orthodox Church of North Macedonia).
The service took place at the outdoor altar set up on Ștefan cel Mare Boulevard in Iași.
Patron saint of Orthodox peoples
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Metropolitan Dimitrios (Ecumenical Patriarchate) highlighted the bond between the Balkan peoples through Saint Paraskeva on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. Photo credit: Doxologia / Oana Nechifor
Metropolitan Dimitrios emphasised that St Paraskeva unites Orthodox peoples across the Balkans.
“St Paraskeva has become a living bond within the Orthodox family of the Balkans, a common mother and protector of peoples who speak different languages but pray with the same faith and the same heart,” His Eminence said.
Reflecting on the saint’s life, the Metropolitan of France and Exarch of Europe explained that renouncing one’s own will is among the most difficult forms of personal sacrifice.
“A person can give up their possessions, part with wealth and honours, but to renounce their own will, their desires and the thought of asserting themselves or promoting themselves is a daily cross. St Paraskeva carried this Cross not just once, but every day of her life, until her final breath.”
Metropolitan Dimitrios therefore encouraged the faithful to follow the example of the saints as guides in their spiritual lives.
“There is no other path to true joy and true freedom than this one. Those who have tried it know this; those who fear it should place their trust in the example of the saints.”
‘An act of faith’
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Metropolitan Teofan of Moldavia and Bukovina highlighted the significance that pilgrimage holds in the lives of the faithful. Photo credit: Doxologia / Oana Nechifor
Metropolitan Teofan explained that pilgrimage is “an act of faith” to which people bring “a hope, a sorrow, a thanksgiving or a joy”.
“It becomes a place of communion, of discovering others in their goodness, gentleness and worth, and even in their suffering,” His Eminence said.
The Metropolitan of Moldavia and Bukovina also explained that taking part in a pilgrimage becomes a way of expressing repentance.
“The pilgrim sets out on the journey conscious of their own unworthiness and weakness.”
“By joining the procession of pilgrims, the Christian unites repentance with humility. The spirit of repentance and humble-mindedness brings the pilgrim into the profound world of the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit reveals eternity to them even now, even here, and helps Christians avoid the gravest illness of all: the illness of unbelief.”
“Faith in God, devotion to the saints and veneration of holy relics, patience and forbearance, and a spirit of repentance, crowned by receiving Holy Communion, are spiritual dispositions that enrich the soul of the Christian pilgrim,” Metropolitan Teofan added.
Scholarships for outstanding students
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Metropolitan Teofan presented awards to the beneficiaries of the “Saint Paraskeva Scholars” educational program, organised by the Archdiocese of Iași. Photo credit: Doxologia / Oana Nechifor
As part of the programme accompanying the celebrations in Iași, Metropolitan Teofan presented awards to ten school pupils, university students, master’s students and doctoral candidates admitted to the Archdiocese of Iași’s St Paraskeva Scholars educational programme.
Over the course of one year, 24 scholarship recipients will receive monthly financial support to continue their studies and activities in the fields in which they have distinguished themselves.
At the end of the service, Metropolitan Teofan thanked all the authorities, institutions, clergy, volunteers and others involved in organising the patronal feast of St Paraskeva.
He expressed particular gratitude to the pilgrims for their patience, faith and prayers.
By Wednesday morning, more than 185,000 people had venerated the relics of the two saints since the pilgrimage began.
