Dositheus of Gaza

Dositheus of Gaza was a sixth century monk and saint. Originally a page, he entered the monastery of Seridus close to Gaza where he became a disciple of Dorotheus of Gaza and died due to a severe illness at a young age. Dositheus is considered a saint in several Christian churches and became a model for monastic life.

Biography Dositheus was originally a page to a general, who led a frivolous and wild life. At some point he travelled with some companions to Jerusalem, where he had a religious conversion to Christianity on Golgotha (according to others in Gethsemane) after having a vision of the Virgin Mary.

Probably still a teenager, he presented himself at the monastery of Seridus close to Gaza, still in his uniform. He soon started working at the infirmary of the hospital where he contracted tuberculosis less than five years after the entry to the monastery. Over time, his suffering become worse and he had to reduce his prayer life, whereupon Dorotheus suggested to him to remember God and think of God at his side.

Dositheus died after asking for the forgivness of his sins to Barsanuphius and receiving the blessing of the elder. After he died, Dorotheus said that Dositheus had surpassed the rest (of his disciples) in virtue without the practice of any extraordinary austerity and Barsanuphius declared that he had seen Dositheus among the saints in heaven. Three letters in the correspondence of Barsanuphius and John are addressed to Dorotheus.

Veneration Dositheus is the patron saint of respiratory diseases. The Orthodox Church celebrates his feast day on August 13 in the Greek calendar and on February 19 in the Slavic. He is considered a model monk and his example is upheld especially in the Orthodox monastic world.