St. Dorothy

Dorothy was a virgin martyred at Caesarea in Cappadocia in about A.D. 313, during the persecution of the Christians by Roman Emperor Diocletian. She had refused to marry or to worship idols and was, therefore, sentenced to death. As she was on her way to her execution, a young scribe or lawyer named Theophilus jeered at her and taunted her for her piety. According to her legend, he called out, "Send me some of the fruits and flowers from that garden you speak of, where you are going to your bridegroom." She responded, "Thy request is granted." As she knelt at the executioner's block, she prayed for Theophilus's wish to happen, and as she did, an angel appeared before her with a basket of three apples and three roses. After she died, the basket was delivered to Theophilus, some say by the angel and some by a child. He was immediately converted and was himself executed.

St. Dorothy is always represented with the basket of roses; sometimes there are also apples. In our window, she is portrayed with roses. Behind her is the scene at her execution when the angel appeared to her as she prayed. Above her head is the sword by which she was killed. The recurring motifs of crowns and crossed palm fronds represent her holy crown in heaven (as a saint) and the fronds of victory through martyrdom.

Her feast day is February 6.