Dorotheus (or Dorotheos) of Gaza was a monk and an abbot who lived in Palestine in the early 6th century CE. Despite the great popularity of his writings, no account of his life (Vita) is known, nor does his name occur on any list of saints. Much can nevertheless be learned of his life from three sources: the letters of Barsanuphius and (especially) of John, the Vita of Dositheus (who lived for three years under Dorotheus’ direction), and from Dorotheus’ own writings. It is now generally agreed that Dorotheus was born in…