Saint of the week: Tabitha

“By the Hand of Nicholas Papas”

Tabitha, also known as Dorcas, is best known as being the woman who was raised from the dead by Peter the Apostle. She was remembered this week on October 25th by the Orthodox Church, and the Lutheran Church (LCMS) but interestingly not by the Roman Catholic Church. I am curious to what the connection is since it’s rare that the Lutherans have a date similar to the Orthodox but not the Catholics. If anyone knows this connection please let me know.

• When she died she was greatly mourned by the widows
• She was known for her kindness and good deeds
• She created clothes for the widows in Jopa, where she live
• She was raised back to life after she died miraculously, as is accounted in Acts chapter 9
• She is given the title “disciple” which is one example in which the term has a broader usage then many give it in our contemporary setting
• Her name means “Gazelle”

Here is a collect in honor of Tabitha based on the one used by the Lutheran church:

Filled with thy Holy Spirit, gracious God, thine earliest disciples served thee with the gifts each had been given: we honor Tabitha for her  life of charity. Inspire us today to build up thy Church with our gifts in hospitality, charity and bold witness to the Gospel of Christ;  who livest and reignest with thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.