20th Temple Guard: The Rt. Honourable Saint Moses the Black
A Temple Guardian:
The Right Honourable Monk, Moses the Black
Moses the Black was born in the year 330 and ascended in the year 405, after being martyred by bandits. He is also known as Abba Moses the Robber, and the Strong. Moses the Black, not to be confused with Moses the Prophet, was an ascetic monk and priest in Egypt during the fourth century AD, he is one of many notable Coptic Egyptian Desert Father.
Moses the Black was a servant of a government official in Egypt, who dismissed him for theft and suspected murder. Due to Moses being large in structure, strong and fearless, he became the leader of a gang of bandits who roamed the Nile Valley spreading terror and violence.
On one particular occasion, after having one of his planned burglaries foiled, in an attempt to get revenge, he was again hindered, so fled, stealing some sheep and took shelter with some monks in a colony in the desert of Wadi El Natrun, then called Scetes, near Alexandria, in an attempt to hide from the authorities, who were on his trail. Whilst hiding out in the desert, amongst these Christian monks, Moses became enthralled by the dedication of their lives, as well as their peace and contentment that deeply influenced and impressed him. He soon decided to give up his old way of life, became a Christian, was baptized and joined the Coptic monastic community at Scetes.
Moses was zealous in all that he did and soon proved to be effective as a prophetic spiritual leader, leading a colony of hermits in the Western Desert and was later ordained a priest.
There are many amazing stories about Moses' devotion, his humility and his love for Yahshuah, Yah and humanity in general.
One of these stories has particular significance and relevance for us today, in our modern age and is sighted here in summary, to give us some insight into his remarkable character and Christian virtues, as well as his importance in the 21st century, for African people in the Diaspora.
"Once when his cell was attacked by a group of robbers in his desert, Moses fought back, overpowered the intruders, and dragged them to the chapel where the other monks were at prayer. He told the brothers that he did not think it is Christian to hurt the robbers and asked what he should do with them. The robbers themselves repented and joined the community as brothers afterwards".
The Credentials and Significance:
Moses’s life of crime before his conversion to Coptic Christianity, together with his life and his many notable achievements and contribution to the hermit tradition of Egypt, after his conversion, is well documented, revered and honoured within the Oriental Christian tradition, 1600 years after his ascent. This Great Saint Moses the Black, offers us and those people who have unfortunately found themselves on the wrong side of righteousness, a model, the inspiration and the confidence to know that regardless of past defects, forgiveness and righteousness is always open & available to the faithful seeker.
