By Bishop Grigorios of Mesaoria
Today, June 5, our Holy Church honors the memory of the Hieromartyr Dorotheus, Bishop of Tyre.
Saint Dorotheus was a traditional shepherd who, according to the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans (Romans 2:20), had the exact knowledge and truth, which is found in the Law, that is, in the Old, but also in the New Testament”.
When the terrible persecution against the Church broke out, in the years of Diocletian, his flock, in order not to lose its spiritual father and valuable Hierarch, with warm pleas managed to persuade him to leave the place of the persecution. He left for Dyssos, a town in Thrace, and practiced asceticism there until that persecution against Christians would be over, praying fervently for the faithful.
He returned to his flock, which was waiting for him with anguish and love. With all the paternal affection that distinguished him, Dorotheus supported the weak in their faith, led the way in helping widows, orphans, the sick, and the afflicted in general.
Saint Dorotheus lived many productive years. He even lived until the reign of Julian the Apostate, who tried in every way to restore paganism.
The pagans, who were the protégés of emperor Julian, arrested Dorotheus and after torturing him mercilessly, killed him in 362 AD, thus winning him the laurels of the Martyr with the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Today, an ecclesiastical book by St. Dorotheus is preserved, which concerns the wider circle of the 70 disciples of the resurrected Jesus Christ.
Source: Church of Cyprus
