St. Dorothy of Caesarea and St. Theophilus



St. Dorothy, (i.e., the gift of God), a virgin from Caesarea in Cappadocia, is believed to have suffered a martyr's death under the Diocletian Persecutions.
Her relics are honored in a church dedicated to her honor in the Trastevere section of Rome.

Fun Fact: On the door of St. Dorothy's Church the names of those who had not received holy Communion during Easter time used to be posted.

Her feast was introduced into the Roman calendar during the Middle Ages.

A very illuminating story is related in connection with her name.
As Dorothy was being led to execution because of her faith in Christ, she prayed, "I thank You, O Lover of souls, for having called me to Your paradise."
A certain Theophilus, a young lawyer and an official of the Roman governor, scoffed and retorted, "Farewell, bride of Christ, send me apples or roses from your Bridegroom's garden of bliss."

Dorothy answered, "I most certainly will."

While devoting herself to prayer during the few moments permitted before receiving the death stroke, she beheld a vision of a beautiful youth who carried three apples and three roses in a napkin.
She said to him, "I implore you to take these to Theophilus."
Then, the sword fell and severed her head from her neck, and her soul returned to God.

As Theophilus was mockingly telling his friend of Dorothy's promise, a young man stood before him holding a linen in which were wrapped three beautiful apples and three magnificent roses.

"The virgin Dorothy sends you these from the garden of her Bridegroom, even as she promised you." Theophilus and his friends were astonished, for it was February and everything in nature was frozen,
Theophilus received the gifts and cried out: "Truly indeed, Christ is God."
And, he too soon died a martyr's death for publicly confessing the faith.

—Excerpted from The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch

Patronage: Brewers; brides; florists; gardeners; midwives; newlyweds; Pescia, Italy

Symbols and Representation: Crowned with flowers and surrounded by stars as she kneels before the executioner; crowned with palm and flower basket; surrounded by stars; crowned; carrying a flower basket; in an orchard with the Christ-child in an apple tree; leading the Christ-child by the hand; maiden carrying a basket of fruit and flowers, especially roses; roses; veiled with flowers in her lap; veiled; holding apples from heaven on a branch; with a basket of fruit and the Christ-child riding a hobby horse; with an angel and wreath of flowers; with an angel carrying a basket of flowers.

Highlights and Things to Do:

  • Read more about Dorothy and Theophilus:

  • Decorate your table with red roses and a bowl of apples, and tell the story of Theophilus and Saint Dorothy to your family at dinner.

  • According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, it is a tradition in some locations to have a blessing of trees on February 6 in honor of St. Dorothy and the blossoming fruit tree.

  • See Catholic Cuisine's suggestion for an apple treat for today's feast.

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