Raised from the Dead by the Apostle Peter
October 25th
She lived in the Palestinian city of Joppa, and was revered by all who knew her. Described by no less an authority than the Acts of the Apostles as full of good works and charitable deeds (Acts 9:36), this pious and charitable widow frequently gave the last coin in her purse to the deserving poor.
A seamstress who labored long and hard each day to fashion coats and other garments for her neighbors, the kind-hearted St. Tabitha – sometimes referred to by the name of “Dorcas” in Biblical and Church writings – would eventually become the patron saint of tailors and seamstresses. But while she lived on this earth, during the years immediately after Jesus Christ had also walked there, she was renowned for her kind-hearted treatment of all who crossed her path.
A faithful and humble disciple of the Apostles, St. Tabitha (her name means “gazelle”) was destined to be the subject of a healing miracle that astonished and inspired all who learned of it. This remarkable event took place late in St. Tabitha’s life, during a period when she had become very ill and was hovering near the point of death in her native Joppa.
While the struggling widow lay helpless on her sickbed, the great Apostle of Christ, St. Peter, was preaching and healing the sick in the nearby town of Lydda. As he moved among the crowds that had turned out to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ, one of his disciples rushed to his side and murmured in his ear that the poor widow had just expired from her ailment in Joppa. Brokenhearted and grieving, the widow’s kin had sent this messenger to St. Peter with a request: Would he hurry to her house and comfort them in their terrible loss?
St. Peter agreed and set out immediately. But when he reached the house where the dead woman lay, the healing power of Almighty God soon became evident. First the Apostle asked the kinsmen to leave the room. Then he knelt on the floor of the humble dwelling and lifted his voice in prayer. According to the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 9:40), St. Peter prayed for only a short time.
And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.”
And she did! Within a few seconds, the deceased widow opened her eyes and stood up. And the mourners who were gathered outside the room could only stare and wonder when she walked among them a few moments later, completely healed.
This beautiful story in the Acts of the Apostles has inspired and comforted readers of the Orthodox Study Bible for many generations. Written in a simple, direct style, the narrative nonetheless conveys a powerful sense of compassion for St. Tabitha, as follows:
At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. Then Peter arose and went with them.
When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive.
And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord. (Acts 9: 36-42)
The news of this miraculous transformation soon reverberated all across Palestine, and many were converted to the Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ because of it.
The life of this extraordinary servant of God underlines for all of us the true meaning of the Gospel proclamation: “The last shall be first.” St. Tabitha was a humble seamstress who lived a life of obscurity – but her loving heart and her charity toward those less fortunate ultimately elevated her to the very highest rank, as a beloved and radiant presence among the saints of the Holy Church.
Apolytikion in the First Tone
With the flow of the many-streamed river of almsgiving thou didst water the dry earth of the needy and shower alms on the widows and poor; thou didst shine forth with the light of thy works and wast radiant with grace, O Tabitha. Glory to Christ Who loves thee! Glory to Christ Who has blessed thee! Glory to Christ Whom thou didst follow as a true disciple and a spotless lamb!
Kontakion in the Second Tone
Thou didst serve the Saviour in holiness by thy God-fearing works and deeds and wast a model of love as His disciple. O Tabitha, we praise thy memory.
