Hagia Paraskevi Day held on Tenedos island

ÇANAKKALE - Doğan News Agency

DHA Photo

Orthodox Greeks have gathered at the Ayazma Monastery on Tenedos island, known Bozcaada in Turkish, in the Aegean province of Çanakkale for a religious ceremony to celebrate Hagia Paraskevi Day.

Commonly known as the “Ayazma Feast,” the event attracted many Orthodox Greeks from Greece, Australia, the United Kingdom, France and many other countries. Also attending the conference were priests from Imbros Island, known Gökçeada in Turkish, and Bozcaada Mayor Hakan Can Yılmaz. 

Metropolitian Maksimus from Istanbul led the religious ceremony, which commenced in the early morning and lasted until midnight on July 27. The participants lit candles after the ceremony and were served wine made from Bozcaada grapes. 

According to tradition, Paraskevi, a young and a beautiful woman, one day fell in love with a handsome man who lived at Ayyalus Monastery. When Paraskevi’s farther noticed the situation, he locked his daughter in Ayazma. Both of the lovers desperately wanted each other, but they were never able to come together. In honor of their endless and unfulfilled love, a fountain was built for those who want to pray and make wishes.