Saint Dorothea of Caesarea

Dorothea of Caesarea (also known as Saint Dorothy, Greek: Δωροθέα; died ca. 311 AD) is a 4th-century virgin martyr who was executed at Caesarea Mazaca. Evidence for her actual historical existence or acta is very sparse. She is called a martyr of the late Diocletianic Persecution, although her death occurred after the resignation of Diocletian himself. Dorothea and her companion, Theophilus, are mentioned in the Roman Martyrology as martyrs of Caesarea in Cappadocia, with a feast on 6 February. She is officially recognized as a virgin martyr. However, with the promulgation of the motu proprio Mysterii Paschalis of Pope Paul VI, Dorothea was removed from the General Roman Calendar, being judged as not having "universal significance". Her feast is still retained in some regional calendars and the Tridentine Calendar. The earliest record that mentions Dorothea is found in the Martyrologium Hieronymianum. This first record contains only three basic facts: the day of martyrdom, the place where it occurred, and her name and that of Theophilus. Virgin and martyr, Dorothea of Caesarea was persecuted during the persecution of Diocletian, 6 February, 311, at Caesarea in Cappadocia. She was brought before the prefect Sapricius, tried, tortured, and sentenced to death. On her way to the place of execution the pagan lawyer Theophilus said to her in mockery: "Bride of Christ, send me some fruits from your bridegroom's garden." Before she was executed, she sent him, by a six-year-old boy, her headdress which was found to be filled with a heavenly fragrance of roses and fruits. Theophilus at once confessed himself a Christian, was put on the rack, and suffered death. This is the oldest version of the legend, which was later variously enlarged (The boy with the basket can be seen in the depictions by Josse van der Baren and Hans Baldung Grien in the gallery below). In the Western church Dorothy of Caesarea has been venerated since the seventh century.