Saint Moses the Ethiopian Icon - S272

Saint Moses the Ethiopian, also called Moses the Black, lived in Egypt during the fourth century. He was a slave, but after committing a murder, his master cast him out. Moses carried on with his sinful life, and was widely feared for his infamous crimes which included murders and robberies. After several years he came to repentance. He converted and entered the monastic life under the direction of Saint Isidore of Scete.

His heart was transformed though his life of obedience and prayer, and he was well-known for his virtue. His sayings are preserved among the collection known as the Desert Fathers. Saint Moses steadfastly refused to judge any person, as he described seeing only his own sins. When a barbarian tribe came to attack Scete, the saint refused to leave, remembering that he himself had committed murders in his former life. He was slain with six other monks about the year 400, at the age of 75.

Saint Moses' feast day is celebrated on August 28 in the West and by the Eastern Orthodoxy, and on July 1 by the Oriental Orthodox. He is considered a patron saint of non-violence and of Africans.