Thousands of Orthodox faithful gathered in the Greek city of Chalkida on July 25–26 to celebrate the feast of St. Paraskevi, the city's heavenly patron, culminating in a large procession through the city streets with her wonderworking icon and a relic of the saint.

The annual celebrations, among the most important religious events on the island of Euboea, drew hierarchs of the Church of Greece, local government officials, military representatives, municipal bands, and pilgrims from across the country.

Photo: tvstar.gr

For the fourth consecutive year, the liturgical services were held at the Cathedral of St. Demetrios, as the historic Church of St. Paraskevi—whose origins date back to the early Christian period—remains closed for restoration.

Following the festive evening service, clergy and thousands of worshippers took part in the traditional procession carrying the city's most revered shrine, the wonderworking icon of St. Paraskevi together with a relic of the saint. The procession concluded with a prayer service on the city's waterfront, while many pilgrims observed the longstanding tradition of keeping an overnight vigil in preparation for the feast day.

The celebrations concluded with a hierarchical Divine Liturgy. At the end of the service, Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Chalkida expressed gratitude to the clergy, volunteers, and public authorities involved in the ongoing restoration of the historic Church of St. Paraskevi.

According to Orthodox Christian tradition, St. Paraskevi lived in the second century and openly professed her Christian faith during the persecutions of the Roman Empire, ultimately suffering martyrdom. She is especially venerated in the Orthodox Church as a protector of those suffering from eye diseases, as well as an intercessor for families and people facing hardships. Churches dedicated to St. Paraskevi are widespread throughout Greece, the Balkans, and Eastern Europe.

Located on the island of Euboea, Chalkida is regarded as one of Greece's principal centers of devotion to St. Paraskevi. Each year, the city's feast attracts thousands of pilgrims, combining religious observances with cultural events organized by local authorities and reinforcing the saint's enduring significance in Greek Orthodox tradition.