Icon of St. Moses the Black - 00STMB02

Feast Day/Commemorated: August 28

In 4th-century Egypt, a powerful Ethiopian man known as Moses lived a life of violent crime as the leader of a notorious band of robbers. His physical strength and ruthless reputation made him a figure of terror until, touched by divine mercy, he underwent a profound conversion. Seeking refuge in a desert monastery, he persistently begged for admission despite the monks' initial skepticism. Once accepted, he transitioned from a feared brigand to a model of radical obedience and sorrow for his past, eventually withdrawing to a solitary cell to pursue a life of prayer and extreme asceticism.

His spiritual journey was a relentless struggle against his former passions and demonic interference, requiring years of intense labor and vigils. Under the guidance of the Elder Isidore, Moses learned to temper his strength through fasting and service, famously carrying water to the cells of elderly monks under the cover of night. His transformation was so total that even when attacked by four former associates, he chose to capture and forgive them rather than strike back, leading his entire former gang to repent and join the monastery. His humility grew alongside his reputation, and when he was eventually ordained to the priesthood, he remained deeply aware of his inner failings, famously remarking that while his vestments were white, he still felt "dark within."

At the age of 75, Saint Moses reached the pinnacle of his sacrifice by choosing not to flee an impending barbarian raid. Citing the words of Christ—that those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword—he stayed behind to face the consequences of his violent youth. He and six of his disciples were martyred by the brigands around the year 400. Today, Saint Moses the Black is venerated as a powerful symbol of repentance, proving that even the most hardened heart can be transformed into a vessel of holiness and peace.

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