Venerable Apollinaria

Life

Apollinaria was the daughter of Anthemius, viceroy of the minor emperor Theodosius the Younger. She was his elder daughter, while his younger daughter was insane. Apollinaria did not wish to marry, but betrothed herself in her heart to Christ and withdrew to the Egyptian desert. In male clothing and under the male name Dorotheus, she entered a men's monastery where she practiced asceticism, lifting her spirit unceasingly to God and burning with love for her Creator. Someone advised the imperial viceroy Anthemius to send his insane daughter to the desert fathers, that they might read prayers over her. And by God's providence it came to pass that the elder sister healed her insane sister by powerful prayer. Only when Apollinaria reposed was the secret revealed that she was not male but female. The manly courage of this holy virgin remained an example and encouragement through the centuries to many who think about their salvation. She reposed in the year 470.