Saint Dositheus of Gaza

Memorial: 23 January
Profile: Born a rich pagan, he spent a wild and worldly youth. During a visit to Jerusalem, he was so impressed by Christians, by an horrific image of the torments of hell, and by the message of a woman he saw in a vision, he converted, and became a monk at Gaza. He was placed under the direction of Saint Dorotheus the Younger, who had a long and steady struggle to teach Dositheus discipline, and take him from his worldly ways. Dositheus learned, changed, and became known for his gentle and supportive ways with the sick. When he became too ill to care for other sick people, he prayed that God would relieve him of his life, and soon after, he died quietly in his sleep.
Died: c.530 of a respiratory problem, possibly tuberculosis
Canonized: Pre-Congregation
Additional Information: Catholic Online
Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Saints, by Matthew Bunson, Margaret Bunson, and Stephen Bunson
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