The Holiday of Iassy – celebrating Saint Paraskeva, the saint who performs miracles

In Iassy, the city known as ”the heart of Moldavia”, are taking  place every autumn the Holidays of Iassy. Thousands of pilgrims are arriving every year in October to worship the relics of Saint Paraskeva. The Mass is officiated on October 14, then all pilgrims are receiving dishes and traditional holiday meal.

For Romanians, Saint Paraskeva is among the saints with tradition. The presence of her relics in Moldavia is pretty old, which made the life and miracles of the saint to be quite popular among Romanian people. The celebration of Saint Paraskeva is regarded as a holy day by Romanians and is honored by going to church and by rest.  

In Romanian community the saint has acquired the reputation of  “the healer of the sorrows of men”. Saint Paraskeva is known for fasting and praying all the time, and it is also called the Holy Friday. She is also known for her very simply life and many ordinary people have found comfort in her. In Romanian Christian communities, especially those in Moldavia, the holy Paraskeva has acquired the reputation of making miracles, many people finding help and relief in difficult moments of their lives.  

Beyond the spiritual aspect of the event, these holidays are an opportunity for craftsmen and artisans from around the country to present their products to the public for several days.

The City Hall organizes various events during this period. We list here some of them: procession with the relics of St. Paraskeva; sanctification of water (“small holy water”) and Holy Unction; Your Iassy - photo competition; Autumn Fair; Folk Festival Trandafir de la Moldova; Feast of jam (Golia Church) – a type of market with specific products; simultaneous chess; theater; exhibitions; tree climbing competition; street entertainment and acting in different areas of Iassy; military music concerts (Garrison of Iassy); old and traditional Romanian music show; poetry recitals; folkloric performances; pop music concerts; "Know your spiritual Iasssy!" - cultural, spiritual and historical itinerary; vintage costume promenade; fireworks; book launches, Torches Withdrawal (Garrison of Iassy); Excelence Awards - students and teachers who have achieved outstanding results in competitions and national and international Olympiads and of course, the Traditional Night of Iassy.  

In the Stefan cel Mare area visitors can find articles of worship, flowers, food (pastries, sweets) in the Palat Street: crafts, flowers, food (fast food, confectionery, sweets, fruits) in the Central Hall area: leather and fur products, Wine Festival, grilled food; in Sarmisegetuza Street: amusement park, food (barbecue, drinks, fast food, sweets)  

Concerts are held in almost all districts of the city (Dacia, Alexander, Tătăraşi) and also fireworks. Concerts are usually scheduled to take place from October 10 to October 15.

The Holidays of Iassy are a unique opportunity to live a spiritual and pastoral atmosphere in the cultural capital of Romania alongside the thousands of pilgrims who stop here every year.