Celebration in honor of St. Paraskeva, also known as St. Petka Tarnovska or Bulgarian is one of the most revered by the Bulgarians. (Paraskeva Greek for "Friday" hence the name Bulgarian varinant - Petka).

Petka, called Bulgarian, lives at the end of X and the beginning of XI century. Her birthplace was the village Epivat Kalikratia near the Sea of Marmara. According to the writings of St. Paraskeva ten years in the temple heard the voice of Jesus Christ. From here starts and her time. Changed his clothes with begging and often distributing its property to the poor. Left home and went to the Holy Land, visited Jerusalem and settled in the Jordanian desert, having lived here many years. Sensing his death, she returned to Epivat. For many years the grave of the saint was forgotten. One day two Christians had a vision in which St. Paraskeva asked them to remove the relics and to convey them. Bulgarian tsar Ivan Asen transferred to Bulgaria of the venerable relics, which were made in the capital Tarnovo. Patriarch Evtimiy wrote her biography, which she became famous not only in Bulgaria but in medieval Europe.

According to the popular calendar this day marks the end of autumn and active economic cycle. Starts winter. St. Petka in the family is honored as patroness of women and their domestic activities. Svy nameday note all noseshi her name, and like it - Petka, Paraskeva, Parashkeva, Petko, Penka, Paro, Parush.

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