Dorcas

Who is Dorcas?

Dorcas was a disciple who lived in Joppa, referenced in the Book of Acts in the New Testament.

Acts recounts that when she died, she was mourned by "all the widows ... crying and showing the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them". 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.