Biography
Dositheus of Gaza
About Dositheus of Gaza
Dositheus of Gaza was a young monk remembered for serving the sick under Dorotheus. Dionisiy Shlenov places his death in the first half of the sixth century. His story survives in a Life whose initial version is attributed to Dorotheus, although its final form was composed by another disciple no earlier than the late sixth century.
The Life describes a comfortable youth entering Seridos’s monastery. It connects his conversion with a vision of Mary at Jerusalem. Dorotheus accepted responsibility for him and assigned him to the infirmary.
There Dositheus cared for patients and made their beds. When he spoke angrily to a sick monk, he withdrew in tears. Dorotheus reprimanded him, then offered reassurance and sent him back to work. The same account also preserves harsher treatment: after Dositheus asked about Scripture, Dorotheus arranged for the abbot to rebuke and strike him. The narrator praises his acceptance of this discipline.
During his five years in the monastery, the Life says, Dositheus became gravely ill and coughed blood. It describes Dorotheus caring for him and adapting his prayer practice as his strength failed. When spoken prayer became impossible, his teacher told him to keep God in mind. The story closes with a visiting elder’s vision of Dositheus among the monastery’s departed holy men.
In his study of Dorotheus’s teaching, Jan Stenger argues that moral formation combined instruction with physical work, self-examination and correction by others. He compares this approach with ancient philosophical schools while emphasizing its communal character.
Shlenov identifies the Life as an early witness to the Jesus Prayer and records a shared liturgical service for Dositheus, Seridos and Dorotheus at the monastery of Saint Sabas.
The Orthodox Church in America commemorates Dositheus on February 19 and notes a Greek observance on August 13.
Wondering how to weigh the stories and sources? Learn how to read a saint biography.