This icon is important because of its excellent condition and size. The subject of an individual figure suggests that it was from a large iconostasis, or icon wall in an Orthodox Church. It likely occupied an important space on the lower register reserved for local saints.

Paraskeva was a martyr, or a person who died for her faith. This icon shows symbols of martyrdom, including the red cloak, the cross, and the crown placed by two angels. Her fingers make a gesture of blessing. Because her story includes the miraculous healing of an eye injury, Paraskeva is the patron saint of vision. Here, her eyes seem unusual, almost as if they were looking in different directions. Perhaps one eye lifts to heaven while the other looks at us; or perhaps the placement of the eyes could simply be a stylistic idiosyncrasy of the individual artist who painted this icon.

Paraskeva’s scroll bears the following text, written in the Church Slavonic script typically used in icons:

Highly praised is thy name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, my Lord God, now and forever. For thou forgave me, and did not reject my humility, nor my prayer, and thy being pleased with me is incomprehensible.

Here, Museum Founder Gordon B. Lankton tells the story of St. Paraskeva, one of his favorite icons. Her story is also included on the folklore audio tour.