Jonathan Emmesedi
Spirituality & Religious StudiesSt. Dorothy/Dorothea of Caesarea
St. Dorothy is a 4th century virgin martyr who was executed at Caesarea Mazaca. She’s called a martyr of the late Diocletianic Persecution. Although her death happened after the resignation of Diocletian himself.
Dorothea & her companion, Theophilus, are mentioned in the Roman Martyrology as martyrs of Caesarea in Cappadocia. Her feast day is on February 6. She’s officially recognized as a virgin martyr.
She was removed from the General Roman Calendar by Pope Paul VI’s motu proprio Mysterii Paschalis, being judged as not having “universal significance.” Her feast day does still remain in some regional calendars & the Tridentine Calendar.
Her early life is unknown. The first record of her, Martyrologium Hieronymianum, only has 3 basic facts: her day of martyrdom, the place where it happened, & her name & Theophilus’ name.
Dorothea of Caesarea, virgin & martyr, was persecuted during the persecution of Diocletian on February 6, 311 at Caesarea in Cappadocia. She was brought before the prefect Sapricius, tried, tortured, & sentenced to death. On the way to the place of execution, the pagan lawyer, Theophilus said, mockingly, “Bride of Christ, send me some fruits from your bridegroom’s garden.”
Before she was executed, she sent him, by a 6 year old boy, her headdress which was found to be filled with a heavenly fragrance of roses & fruits. Theophilus at once confessed himself a Christian, was put on the rack, & suffered death. This is the oldest version of the legend.
In the Western church, Dorothy of Caesarea has been venerated since the 7th century. In the late medieval Sweden, St. Dorothy was considered to be the 15th of the Holy Helpers.
In art, she’s accompanied with Saints Barbara, Catherine, & Margaret. They form a quartet of female virgin martyrs called Quattuor Virgines Capitales, meaning, “The Four Capital Virgins.”
She’s the patroness of gardeners. Because of her virginal attribute of a wreath of roses. On her feast day (February 6), trees are blessed. She’s also the patroness of brewers, brides, florists, midwives, newlyweds, & the village of Pescia, Italy. The Sisters of St. Dorothy is a congregation of sisters/nuns, who are occupied with teaching.
St. Dorothy is often pictured as a virgin carrying a basket of flowers, sometimes with fruit, & also wearing a crown of roses. She has also been pictured as being surrounded by stars as she kneels before an executioner; crowned with palm, referring to the martyr’s palm; in an enclosed garden or an orchard with the Christ Child in an apple tree; leading the Christ Child by the hand; veiled with flowers in her lap; & holding apples from Heaven.
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