Saint Paraskevi is the patron saint for health of the eyes.
Saint Paraskevi was arrested during the reign of the Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius under the penalty of refusing to worship idols and adhering to the state pagan religion.
During attempts to torture the saint, she restored the emperor’s eyesight. The miracle had such a profound effect on him that he not only freed the saint, he ordered all persecutions against Christians be stopped and he himself converted to Christianity.
The calm did not last long. Marcus Aurelius, Antonius’ successor, renewed the persecutions against the Christian Church. Saint Paraskevi was tortured and beheaded in Rome, in the year 180 AD.
At the place of her martyrdom in Asia Minor, a small chapel was built in her honour. Miraculously, a natural spring started flowing from beneath the church and many who came to drink from this water were healed, especially those with eye problems. Hence, Saint Paraskevi came to be known as the patron saint for eyesight.
The feast day for Saint Paraskevi is celebrated on July 26.
Learn more about Saint Paraskevi.
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