Television premiere of a film about the most revered saint of Orthodoxy

After a highly successful theatrical run with over 100,000 viewers, screenings at 67 international festivals, and 32 awards won, the film "Sveta Petka - Krst u pustinji" ("Saint Petka - The Cross in the Desert") is finally arriving on TV screens.

Directed by Hadzi-Aleksandar Djurovic and based on the true story and bestseller "Petkana" by Ljiljana Habjanovic Djurovic, the film will have its TV premiere just before the feast day of Saint Petka (Paraskeva of the Balkans). This holiday honors the Venerable Mother Paraskeva, a saint deeply respected not only in the Serbian Orthodox Church but also across other faiths. She was known as a protector of women, offering her help to the sick and poor.

With a modern approach and rhythmic cinematography, this film brings to life a centuries-old story that still resonates deeply with the faithful and admirers of Saint Petka.

The devout young woman Paraskeva leaves her life among people in Constantinople and, after a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, retreats to the Jordanian desert. There, she spends the next 40 years facing trials, sins, and inner demons. The story follows her journey from an ordinary girl to one of the most beloved and revered saints of Orthodoxy. Central to the narrative is the unique friendship between two women, Paraskeva and Zejneba, an Arab woman. Though from different cultural, social, and religious backgrounds, they share the same human emotions. During her time in the desert, Zejneba is Paraskeva's only friend and a reflection of the external world that Paraskeva left behind.

Supported by authentic locations in Jordan and Serbia, this film offers audiences a unique cinematic experience through its visuals and sound.

Experience it yourself on Saturday, October 26, at 9 p.m. on RTS's First Program.

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