Saint Moses the Black was a 4th-century man
from Africa with a reputation for violence and roaming the land as a bandit, but
after being deeply moved by a group of peaceful desert monks, Moses too wanted
to know their faith and dedicated his life to Christ and became a desert monk and martyr. After his conversion he came to be known everywhere for
being a man of deep humility and holiness. Moses once turned down a request to
serve with a council of judges against a Christian brother, but after much
pressure, accepted the request. Moses would later arrive with a basket full
of leaking sand on his back (as seen in the icon). They asked why he carried
the basket and Moses stated, “I carry behind me my manifold sins where I cannot
see them, and I come to judge my brother?” When the other monks heard this,
they all forgave their guilty brother.
Saint Moses Prayer:
Almighty God, whose blessed Son dost guide our footsteps
into the way of peace: Deliver us from paths of hatred and violence, that we,
following the example of thy servant Moses, may serve thee with singleness of
heart and attain to the tranquility of the world to come; through Jesus Christ
our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.
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