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dorothy.jpg

Born: ~280 - 290
Died: ~311
FEast: Feb. 6th
Patron of:  
brides, newlyweds, midwives, florists, gardeners

dorothy.jpg

St. Dorothy

Bio

 

 Also often called Dorothea of Caesarea, St. Dorothy was born around the end of the 3rd century in what is now Turkey. When she was young, she professed a vow of celibacy and lived very strongly in her Christian faith. She was arrested for this crime by a Governor named Sapricius, and she was thrown in jail. To try and get her to renounce her faith, a pair of sisters were sent to talk to her. These sisters, named Christina and Callista, had originally been Christians themselves but, when faced with torture, had decided to instead sacrifice to the Roman gods. Hoping they would convince Dorothy to do the same, the Roman government was more than disappointed to find out that, instead, Dorothy had convinced them to ask God for forgiveness and return to Christianity.

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The two sisters were then tied together and were martyred by being dropped into a vat of tar. Dorothy herself was then led to a torture chamber, but she faced each torture willingly despite intense pain and suffering. She announced that, when she was about to be executed, that she would soon be with Jesus, her true love, in her bridal garden full of flowers and fruits.

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A lawyer who was present named Theophilus made fun of her for saying such a thing, asking her to send him some of the fruit once she got there.

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In  complete seriousness, she responded that she would - and that she would meet him there in that garden soon.

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Dorothy was then beheaded with a sword after praying. Almost immediately, a small boy appeared out of nowhere carrying a basket containing a headdress made of apples and flowers. However, the month was February, and everything was covered in frost. There were no fruits or flowers to be found anywhere. He presented it to Theophilus, who immediately converted and was martyred as well.

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Prayer

 

Your faith, trust, hope, and love were enough to change the heart of someone so against you. May we all live by example as you did, since this is the best way to reach others. May we all also have your huge amount of trust in God and certainty in God's promises.
Amen.

 

Art Reflection

 

Based on another roommate of mine whose signature style was to wear a flower in her hair each day, I just knew I had to use her as a reference for St. Dorothy. Just like her, Dorothy chose to live her life the way she saw fit despite what others were doing and what had been offered to her as an alternative.

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