October 25 (Lesser Feasts and Fasts 2000)
Tabitha, also known by her Greek name Dorcas, already had a reputation for being a woman of good works and charity before Peter arrived in Joppa to preach the Gospel (Acts 9:36). The Scriptures mention that many widows had benefitted from her work in making them clothes. Their desire to show Peter examples was both a testament to her charity and perhaps also the level of craftsmanship with which she made them.
Perhaps due to the reputation that the apostles had as wonder workers, when Tabitha died her friends called for Peter to come see her. This story is likely intended to recall the story of Jesus healing the young girl in Luke 8:41-56 when Jesus performed a similar miracle. This miracle of life performed for Tabitha through Peter caused many in the town to believe in Jesus. It, like many miracles recorded in Acts, was a confirmation that the message was true and that the apostles did indeed speak for God.
She is also mentioned by Basil of Caesarea as an example of charity and good works, and as a role model for other widows: “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.”