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Dorcas ((ギリシア語:Δορκάδα)/Δορκάς, ''Dorkáda/Dorkás''; ''Ṭabītā'') was a disciple who lived in Joppa, referenced in the Acts of the Apostles () in the New Testament. ''Acts'' recounts that when she died, she was mourned by "all the widows ... crying and showing (Peter) the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them" (Acts 9:39).〔 The Greek construct used in this passage indicates that the widows were the recipients of Dorcas' charity, but she may also have been a widow herself. It is likely that she was a woman of some means, given her ability to help the poor. The disciples present called upon Saint Peter, who came from nearby Lydda to the place where her body was being laid out for burial, and raised her from the dead.〔 This narrative concerning Tabitha/Dorcas indicates her prominence in the community at Joppa.〔〔 This might also be indicated by the fact that Peter took the trouble to come to her from a neighbouring city, when requested by the community members. The name ''Dorcas'' is a Greek translation of the Aramaic name ''Tabitha'', meaning "gazelle". One species of gazelle is now known as the dorcas gazelle. ==In Christian tradition== Dorcas, along with Lydia of Thyatira and Phoebe, is honored with a feast day on the liturgical calendar of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America on January 27. The Evangelical Lutheran Church also places their joint commemoration on January 27, immediately after the male missionaries remembered after the feast of St. Paul's Conversion, but the Missouri Synod of the Lutheran Church commemorates these three faithful women on October 25.〔 The Catholic Church commemorates Dorcas (under the Aramaic version of her name, St Tabitha) on October 25, the same date as the Eastern Church.〔 Dorcas societies, which provide clothing to the poor, are named after her.〔 Basil of Caesarea refers to Dorcas as an example in his ''Morals'' (rule 74): "That a widow who enjoys sufficiently robust health should spend her life in works of zeal and solicitude, keeping in mind the words of the Apostle and the example of Dorcas." Dorcas is also commemorated in poems by Robert Herrick ("The Widows' Tears: Or, Dirge of Dorcas") and George MacDonald ("Dorcas"). 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Dorcas」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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