Venerable Dositheus (VII)

The Venerable Dositheus, a disciple of Saint Abba Dorotheus (commemorated 5 June), lived at the turn of the sixth and seventh centuries and was brought up in a rich and distinguished family. Once he heard his uncle, a military commander, tell of the holy city of Jerusalem, and he longed very much to visit it. His wish was soon fulfilled. In Gethsemane he stood for a long time gazing at a depiction of the Last Judgement. Suddenly a woman appeared beside Dositheus and explained to him carefully what was depicted in the picture. The young man asked: “How can I escape eternal torment?” In answer he received: “Fast, do not eat meat, pray more!” No sooner had she said this than the wonderful teacher vanished. The saint searched for her for a long time, but in vain: the noble lady was the Theotokos herself. The appearance of the Most Holy Virgin made such a great impression on the young man that he decided to take up the monastic life, and, burning with divine zeal, went to the monastery of Abba Seridus. At that time such fathers laboured there as Saint Barsanuphius (commemorated 6 February) and John (commemorated 19 June). Dositheus, who insistently asked to be received into the brotherhood, was made a disciple of Abba Dorotheus. The venerable father carried out his obedience in the monastery hospital and diligently served all the sick. The Venerable Dorotheus accustomed his disciple to abstinence and fasting by gradually reducing his daily portion of bread, and weaned him from irritation and anger by constantly reminding him that every unkind word addressed to a sick person is said to Jesus Christ Himself. Five years passed in this way, after which the father, in his labour of serving the sick and obeying his teacher, fell gravely ill. The saint bore his suffering patiently and prayed unceasingly. After his death an ascetic to whom the whereabouts of the departed brothers of the monastery had been revealed saw the young Dositheus too among the ranks of the saints. The venerable father attained the glory of the Kingdom of heaven through complete obedience to his teacher and the cutting off of his own will.