St. Moses the Black
St. Moses the Black (c. 330-c. 400), also called Moses the Ethiopian, was a slave in Egypt who became the feared leader of a band of robbers before repenting and entering the monastic life at Scetis.
Under the guidance of St. Isidore he overcame fierce struggles with his old passions, was ordained priest, and gathered some seventy-five disciples, becoming one of the great Desert Fathers whose words are preserved in the Apophthegmata Patrum. Around the year 400, recalling Christ's words that all who take up the sword shall perish by the sword, he refused to flee an attack of barbarian raiders and was killed with six of his monks at about age seventy-five.
Go, sit in your cell, and your cell will teach you everything.
My sins run out behind me, and I do not see them, and today I am coming to judge the errors of another.
The man who flees and lives in solitude is like a bunch of grapes ripened by the sun, but he who remains amongst men is like an unripe grape.
If a man's deeds are not in harmony with his prayer, he labors in vain.
The monk must die to his neighbor and never judge him at all, in any way whatever.
Troparion · Tone 1
You abandoned the Egypt of the passions, O Father, ascending the mount of the virtues with fervent faith, taking the Cross of Christ upon your shoulders; and being glorified in godly works, you proved to be a model for monastics, O summit of the Fathers. With them, pray unceasingly that our souls may find mercy!
Kontakion · Tone 3
Your mind was filled with holy inspiration from God, turning you from the lust and pleasures of the flesh, bringing you to the height of the city of God. O Holy Father Moses, intercede with Christ God that He may grant us great mercy.
Saints around August 28
Get the full library
130+ saints, in your pocket
Their Lives, sayings and prayers, A to Z and by feast, with search. The Church calendar, the holy icons, and the saying of the day on your Home Screen. All in Axios! for iPhone, iPad and Android.