Friday, June 05, 2009

Hieromartyr Dorotheus the Bishop of Tyre

Commemorated on June 5

The Hieromartyr Dorotheus was bishop of the Phoenician city of Tyre, during the time of the persecution against Christians under the emperor Diocletian (284-305). Heeding the words of the Gospel (Mt.10:23), the saint withdrew from Tyre and hid from the persecutors. He returned to Tyre during the reign of St Constantine the Great (306-337, May 21), again occupying the bishop's throne he guided his flock for more than fifty years, and converted many of the pagans to Christianity. When the emperor Julian the Apostate (361-363) began openly to persecute Christians, St Dorotheus was already over 100 years old. He withdrew from Tyre to the Myzean city of Udum (present day Bulgarian Varna). Delegates of the emperor arrested him there for his refusal to offer sacrifice to idols. They began to torture the holy Elder, and under torture he surrendered his soul to the Lord (+ ca. 362) at the age of 107.

Some ascribe to St Dorotheus the compilation of a work, "The Synopsis", a collection of sayings, and including lives of the holy prophets and apostles

Troparion - Tone 4

O Dorotheus, wise hierarch of Christ,
You received the light of wisdom as a gift from the Father of lights.
You increased the talents given to you
And in your old age contested beyond the bounds of nature.
And now, O Hieromartyr, you even intercede for our souls!

Kontakion - Tone 3

By preaching Orthodox doctrine, O Hieromartyr,
You offered yourself as a godly and holy gift.
First you excelled in asceticism
And then in the contest of martyrdom,
Attaining the victor’s prize from Christ our God!

Kontakion - Tone 5

You were resplendent, O blessed Dorotheus,
With virtues brighter than the sun and with your sufferings!
You shine forth and enlighten the land,
Dispelling the darkness of idolatry and base heresy.
Therefore, we celebrate your memory with splendor!

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