Saint Dorothy

Saint Dorothy (http://www.stedmundsbury.anglican.org/~burgh/ff/Dorothy.html)

Saint Dorothy was a young girl that lived in a city called Caesarena, which is now called Cappodiocia, Turkey. Dorothy lost her parents as martyrs in the reign of the Diocletian prosecution. She was known for her strong virtues and angelic nature. The Governor of Caesarena sentenced the holy child away, planning to break her faith and steer her away from her strong beliefs.

Roman soldiers captured her and treated her cruelly. She was placed on a rack and offered marriage, if she gave into sacrifice, and death if she refused. She claimed the Lord was her only spouse and she would choose death. Two women who had fallen away from their faith were placed in charge of Dorothy. The fierce fire of faith in her own heart repaired their faith and she led them back to Christ. She was sent back to the rack, and as she was being terribly tortured, the Governor was taken aback by the look of serenity and heavenly bliss she wore on her beautiful face. He asked her why she was so peaceful, and she told him "Because I have brought back two souls to Christ, and because I shall soon be in heaven rejoicing with the angels." Her joy grew as she was pounded in the face and her sides burned with plates of red-hot iron. "Blessed be Thou," she cried, when she was sentenced to be beheaded because she would not marry or worship idols, - "blessed be Thou, O Thou Lover of souls! Who dost call me to Paradise, and invitest me to Thy nuptial chamber."

On her way to be executed, a lawyer who had a history of persecuting Christians, named Theophilus, called out to her and mocked her. He challenged her to send him apples and roses from the garden of her "Spouse". Dorothy promised to grant his request, and she continued on her road to death.

Just before she died, a child appeared holding three apples and three roses. Dorothy told him to bring them to the lawyer. Dorothy ascended to heaven, and when Theophilus saw how beautiful the fruit and flowers were, he knew they couldn't have been grown on this earth, and stopped rejoicing in the Saint's death. He then saw Christ in this angel child, and was converted to Catholicism. He then shared part in the martydom of St. Dorothy.

Saint Dorothy with the angel child bearing fruit (http://www.wilsonsalmanac.com/images1/dorothy2_sm.jpg)

St. Dorothy, means "Gift of God." She is the patron Saint of brides, florists and gardeners. Her feast day is February 6. In many famous paintings, she holds a child by the hand. The child is possibly depicted as the Christ Child. The shrine of St. Dorothy is in Rome.