Saint Paraskeva has become a living link of the Orthodox family in the Balkans, said Metropolitan Dimitrie of Iașitranslated

"Saint Parascheva has become a living link of the Orthodox family in the Balkans, a common and protective mother of peoples who speak different languages, but pray with the same faith and the same heart," said Metropolitan Dimitrie of France and Exarch of Europe (Ecumenical Patriarchate) at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Iasi on Wednesday.

His Eminence presented the life of Saint Pious Parascheva as an example of self-denial, humility and following Christ: "The young daughter of Epivata did not just give up a life full of earthly comforts; she gave up herself."

"Man can give up his possessions, he can part with riches and honors, but to give up his will, his desires, the thought of putting himself in value, of self-promotion, this is a daily cross. Saint Parascheva carried this Cross not only once, but every day of his life, until his last breath," the metropolitan stressed.

The challenges of the contemporary world The Most Reverend Father Dimitrie contrasted this choice with the trends of contemporary society, showing that the model offered by St. Parascheva is that of humility.

"The contemporary world urges us to assert ourselves, to...