Greek Orthodox community celebrates Hagia Paraskevi Day on Türkiye's Bozcaada Island

By Burak Akay

CANAKKALE, Türkiye (AA) - The Greek Orthodox community in Türkiye on Wednesday gathered for a ceremony to celebrate Hagia (Saint) Paraskevi Day on the northwestern island of Bozcaada.

The event, known locally as the Ayazma fair, brought together members of the Greek Orthodox community from Greece, as well as from the US, Australia, Italy, France, and Canada, who gathered at Ayazma Monastery to take part in the festivities.

Every July 26, the Orthodox community assemble at the monastery to observe their traditional rituals on the sacred day of Hagia Paraskevi. The historic monastery's ceremony was led by Kyrillos Sykis, the metropolitan of Gokceada and Bozcaada.

During the service, members of the community lit candles and offered prayers.

According to legend, on the island there lived a lovely young girl named Paraskevi, who fell deeply in love with a handsome youth who lived in the Ayyalus Monastery, now situated in Goztepe.

When her father discovered their romantic involvement, he brought Paraskevi to Ayazma, where she was placed under strict surveillance.

The lovesick girl looked toward Goztepe, trying to convey messages to her beloved through the wind.

Similarly, the young man at Ayyalus Monastery reciprocates Paraskevi's feelings, but they never manage to meet.

In memory of Paraskevi, who died of a broken heart, people pray by the wishing well, also known as the well of wishes.