Dorothea of Caesarea

Life

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.

Legend Virgin and martyr, Dorothea of Caesarea was persecuted during the persecution of Diocletian, on 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).

Veneration In the Western church Dorothy of Caesarea has been venerated since the seventh century. Since the fourteenth century many artists created paintings and sculptures, which are to be found throughout Europe. In late medieval Sweden Saint Dorothy was considered to be the 15th of the Holy Helpers,

Dorothy of Caesarea's life and martyrdom was the basis of Philip Massinger and Thomas Dekker's The Virgin Martyr (printed 1622).

Iconography Saint Dorothy is often depicted as a virgin carrying a basket of flowers, sometimes with fruit, and also wearing a crown of roses; she has also been depicted as being: surrounded by stars as she kneels before the executioner; crowned with palm, referring to the martyr's palm; in an enclosed garden or an orchard with the Christ Child in an apple tree; leading the Christ Child by the hand; veiled with flowers in her lap; and holding apples from heaven on a branch.

Depictions