Saint Paraskeva with Scenes from her Life

Saint Paraskeva was born to Christian parents during the reign of Hadrian (117-138). She was given the name Paraskeva (Greek for Friday) after the day she was born and to commemorate the Crucifixion which also took place on a Friday. She was arrested under the reign of Antoninus Pius (138-161) for preaching Christianity; Antonius offered her many gifts and great wealth if she would renounce her faith, it is said that he even offered to marry her and give her half his kingdom.
When Paraskeva continued to refuse him Antonius Pius had her subjected to many tortures but she kept healing and showing no sign of pain. Finally the emperor had her placed in boiling oil but she she did not shriek in pain he asked if she had used magic to cool the oil. She responded by scooping up some of the hot liquid and tossing it towards him, telling him to test it himself. The emperor was blinded. He began to ask her for help, and the holy martyr healed him with cool water from a nearby stream. Antonius Pius converted, set her free, and stopped persecuting the Christians.