Dorothea (saint)
Dorothea (* around 279–290 in Caesarea in Cappadocia ; † around 305 in ibid.) Was a Christian virgin and martyr . In the Roman Catholic as well as in the Orthodox Church she is venerated as a saint .
Life
According to tradition, Dorothea was in Caesarea in Cappadociae in Asia Minor Cappadocia born of 280 years, the daughter of Christian parents. The pagan governor Apricius asked for them; but she refused him because she had vowed virginity for the sake of the kingdom of heaven . The governor then tortured her and sentenced her to death by beheading . Dorothea's Vita is embellished with numerous legends. Since Dorothea repeatedly pronounced the name of Jesus Christ , the pagan lawyer Theophilus standing by the wayside is said to have mocked that he too wanted to believe in Jesus if Dorothea brought him flowers and fruits from her bridegroom's garden. Then an angel appeared in the form of a boy with a basket full of roses and fruits (mostly apples are mentioned). Theophilus was converted and publicly confessed to Christ. This angered the governor (possibly under Emperor Diocletian ) so much that he had Theophilus beheaded together with Dorothea. The flower basket is therefore one of the attributes of St. Dorothea in Christian iconography.
Adoration
Dorothea is usually depicted with a basket of roses, fruits and in the robe of a consecrated virgin, often her forehead is adorned with a wreath of flowers, an attribute of the consecrated virgins. One of the most important works in art history is the painting The Beheading of St. Dorothea by Hans Baldung Grien from 1516, which is in the National Gallery in Prague . Together with the three holy helpers Margaret of Antioch , Catherine of Alexandria and Barbara of Nicomedia , St. Dorothea to the group of the so-called Virgines capitales , the great holy virgins. Her feast day in the liturgy of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches is February 6th. Until 1969, the day of remembrance was also included in the general Roman calendar , but was deleted there.
St. Dorothea is the patron saint of gardeners , florists , beer brewers , miners , brides , women who have recently given birth and newly weds.
Churches
literature
- Hauck: Dorothea, the saint . In: Realencyklopadie for Protestant Theology and Church (RE). 3. Edition. Volume 4, Hinrichs, Leipzig 1898, p. 808.
Web links
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Dorothea |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Martyr and saint of the Catholic Church |
| DATE OF BIRTH | at 290 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Caesarea Cappadociae |
| DATE OF DEATH | at 305 |
| Place of death | Caesarea Cappadociae |