St.Dorothy, now the patron saint of 'brides, fruit and flowers' was a young virgin living in 304. She lived in Caesarea of Cappadocia, and it is believed that her parents were martyred.The Governor Sapricius questioned her about Jesus and His whereabouts.
Dorothy replied "As Almighty He is everywhere, but for weak human reason we say that the Son of God has ascended into heaven, to be seated at the right hand of the Almighty Father. It is He who invites us to the garden of His delights, where at all times the trees are covered with fruits, the lilies are perpetually white, the roses ever in their freshness. If you believe me, you too will search for the true liberty, and will labor to earn entry into the garden of God’s delights.”
The governor placed Dorothy in custody with two women who had fallen away from faith, in hopes that they would pervert her. Dorothy listened to the stories of these women, rekindled the flame of God's love in their hearts and led them back to Christ. They joyously professed Jesus as their saviour to the governor and they were martyred in front of Dorothy, who encouraged them to die for their faith.
As she was placed on the rack to be executed, she is said to have been glowing with joy, explaining that she would soon be in paradise with the 2 souls who she has brought back to Christ.
On the road to her execution a lawyer called Theophilus, who had grown accustomed to persecuting the Christians, asked her, in mockery, to send him “apples or roses from the garden of her Spouse.” St.Dorothy smiled and prayed for this to happen and soon she was killed. Later in the day, a child showed up at Theophilus' door with three freshly picked apples and roses. The lawyer became a Christian and later died as a martyr as well.
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