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.
Saint Dorothy of Caesarea | |
|---|---|
Saint Dorothy, Francisco de Zurbarán | |
| Born | c. 279–290 |
| Died | ~311 Caesarea Mazaca (modern-day Kayseri, Turkey) |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church Anglican Church Lutheranism |
| Feast | February 6 |
| Attributes | wreath or basket of roses, fruit |
| Patronage | horticulture; brewers; brides; florists; gardeners; midwives; newlyweds; love; Markowa; Pescia |
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.