Dorothea of Alexandria | |
|---|---|
| Died | c. 320 Alexandria,Egypt |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church andCoptic Orthodox Church |
| Feast | sometimes stated as 6 February, but unofficial |
Dorothea of Alexandria (died c. 320) is venerated as aChristianvirgin andsaint. Her legend states that the Roman EmperorMaximinus Daia courted her, yet she rejected his suit in fidelity toChristianity andvirginity, and fled Alexandria. She died in Arabia around 320.
Eusebius of Caesarea wrote that Emperor Maximinus had an insane passion for a noble maiden who was famous for her wealth, education, and virginity.[1] When the maiden refused his advances, he exiled her and seized all of her wealth.[2] Eusebius did not name the maiden, yetTyrannius Rufinus denominated her "Dorothea" and wrote that she fled toArabia.[3]
Caesar Baronius identified the maiden in Eusebius' narrative asCatherine of Alexandria; however, thehagiographicalBollandists rejected this theory.[2]
In the 16th century, Dorothea was confused withDorothea of Caesarea, a more famous saint of the same name, whosefeast day is 6 February. Consequently, sometimes 6 February was celebrated also as the feast of the Alexandrian saint.[2] She is not recorded in theRoman Martyrology of theCatholic Church.
