August 28 – Saint Moses the Black: Patron Saint of Africa

Saint Moses the Black, Patron Saint of Africa (Feast Date August 28th)

Extract from Monastic Library † St. Moses the Black: Meditation Strengthens Spiritual Life: “St. Moses, also known as the Ethiopian, was a large and foreboding man whose fame was grounded in seeking vengeance and spreading violence. Hiding from local authorities, St. Moses took refuge among monks in a colony in the desert of Scetis, near Alexandria. The meditation and prayerful dedication of their lives, as well as their inner peace and contentment, helped St. Moses find the meaning of life and end his journey in seeking out the one eternal and true God of the Universe. St. Moses was to discover happiness in his life, a peaceful meditative, soul settling type of happiness which would forever turn his life toward the Lord Jesus Christ. . . . In its infancy, his now new found spirituality immediately confronted a difficult time while he was adjusting to monastic life. Soon, while in his cell, St. Moses was attacked by a band of robbers. He fought them overpowering them with his physical prowess, and then dragged them to the chapel where the other monks were at solemn prayer. He abruptly reported to the monks that he didn’t think it was Christian to hurt the robbers further and asked what he should do with the captured robbers before them. According to tradition, the extremely overwhelmed robbers repented, confessed, converted, and entered into monasticism under the leadership of their captor, St. Moses the Black.” See picture of St. Moses the Black. See also: Moses the Black. VIDEO: Saint Moses the Black & Strong.

Saint Moses the Black, Patron Saint of Africa (Feast Date August 28th)

Extract from Life of St. Moses the Black: “One of the more exciting of the early monks in the period of desert Christian monasticism was a Black African (Nubian) now honored as St. Moses the Black. The Lausiac History of Palladius is the main historical source for his life. There is also an account found in the “Bibliotheca Sanctorum” by J. W. Sauget, and approximately 49 apophthegmata found in “The Desert Christian” by Sr. Benedicta Ward. The life of Moses is well documented. He had been a slave of a government official in Egypt who discharged him for theft and suspected murder. He became the leader of a gang of bandits who roamed the Nile Valley and had the reputation for being associated with terror and violence. Moses was a large and imposing figure; he became rather notorious for his escapades. . . . On one occasion, when he sought to hide from local authorities, he took shelter with some monks in a monastic colony in Skete in the western desert near Alexandria. The dedication of their lives and their peace and contentment seem to have influenced him deeply. Eventually, he gave up his old way of life and became a monk himself. The conversion of Moses was not instantaneous, he had a rather difficult time adjusting to regular monastic discipline. His flair for adventure remained with him. Once, while living in a small cell, he was attacked by four robbers. Much to their surprise, Moses fought and overpowered them, tied them together and dragged them to the chapel where the other monks were praying. He dumped the crew in front of the other monks and exclaimed that he did not think it ‘Christian’ to hurt the intruders. He asked what he should do with them. According to tradition, the overwhelmed robbers repented, were converted, and themselves became monks under the influence of Moses.”  See PICTURES of Saint Moses the Black.  See also:  Moses the Black (Multilingual), Moses the Black (EN).

Saint Moses the Black, Patron of Africa (Feast Date August 28th)

Extract from St. Moses the Black (330-405): “Saint Moses known as the Ethiopian or the strong, was a slave of a government official in Egypt who dismissed him for theft and suspected murder. He became the leader of a gang of bandits who roamed in the Nile Valley spreading terror and violence. He was a large, imposing figure. On one occasion, a barking dog prevented Moses from carrying out a robbery, so he swore vengeance on the owner. Weapons in his mouth, Moses swam the river toward the owner’s hut. The owner, again alerted, hid, and the frustrated Moses took some of his sheep to slaughter. Attempting to hide from local authorities, he took shelter with some monks in a colony in the desert of Scetes, near Alexandria The dedication of their lives, as well as their peace and contentment, influenced Moses deeply. He soon gave up his old way of life, became a Christian, was baptized and joined the monastic community at Scetes.”

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We, at the CTF/SOS DRS have prayed for the intercession of St. Moses the Black on behalf of those affected by the following catastrophes:

Terrorist Bombings in Kenya (November 18, 2012) (Africa) See World Mission Rosary Intentions: December 3 – December 16, 2012.

Explosion in Brazzaville, Congo Republic (March 4, 2012) (Africa) See World Mission Rosary Intentions: March 12 – March 25, 2012.

Pipeline Explosion in Kenya (September 12, 2011) (Africa)  See World Mission Rosary Intentions: September 26 – October 9, 2011.

Cholera in Zimbabwe (Winter 2008-2009) (Africa) See World Mission Rosary Intentions: February 02 – February 15, 2009.

That the Lord in His Divine Mercy – through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary – may build up His Kingdom,make these mysteries a reality in our lives, strengthen us in our common mission, and come to the aid of those for whom we pray.

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