Cite
Brotherhood of St. Moses the Black. “Life of St. Moses the Black,” September 3, 2015. https://brotherhoodofstmoses.wordpress.com/resources/life/.
Jeremy
Synth
Contribution::
Related::
Md
Title:: Life of St. Moses the Black
Year:: 2015
Citekey:: LifeStMoses2015
itemType:: blogPost
LINK
.
Abstract
Saint Moses Murin the Black lived during the fourth century in Egypt. He was an Ethiopian, and he was black of skin and therefore called “Murin” (meaning “like an Ethiopian”). In his youth he was t… .
Notes
# Notes
“Saint Moses Murin the Black lived during the fourth century in Egypt. He was an Ethiopian, and he was black of skin and therefore called “Murin” (meaning “like an Ethiopian”).”
“Once, four of the robbers of his former band descended upon the cell of St Moses. He had lost none of his great physical strength, so he tied them all up. Throwing them over his shoulder, he brought them to the monastery, where he asked the Elders what to do with them.”
-
Apparently these were robbers from his old gang. The were ordered to be set free, repented, and joined the monastery as well
- The rest of the robbers from the gang heard of this and also joined the monastery
St. Moses had trouble overcoming the past life of living in excess. The igumen, Abba Isidore instructed him not to eat too much and stay slightly hungry when seeking after the spiritual life. St. Moses still struggled .
St. Moses also practiced the all-night vigil, where he stood in prayer all night. At some points he wanted to give up, but Abba Isidore helped him persevere.
As a result St. Moses had a vision of demons and angels at war. Abba Isidore said that the struggle and battle must take place in order to be fully cleansed of sin.
In his duties to carry water to the other monks he was struck on the back of the head and fell into the well where he was found in the morning by other monks. They took him to his cell where he was crippled for a whole year. This was believed to be a demon physically striking him because he had overcome the power of demons spiritually.
After he recovered he was committed to living in an extreme life of self denial, but Abba Isidore said no and to go to his cell in peace. This is when it is believe that St. Moses received power over demons from the Lord.
“After many years of monastic exploits, St Moses was ordained deacon. The bishop clothed him in white vestments and said, “Now Abba Moses is entirely white!” The saint replied, “Only outwardly, for God knows that I am still dark within.””
- because of his self doubt, St. Moses was put to the test by a Bishop. The Bishop told the elders to try and rive St. Moses away from the altar. St. Moses endured the tests with humility and in doing so, was ordained by the bishop to be presbyter.
- In this role, he gathered around 75 disciples
When St. Moses was 75, he learned the place where he was staying would be overrun by robbers. He allowed the other monks to leave, and they tried to get him to do the same, but he replied: “For many years already I have awaited the time when the words which my Master, the Lord Jesus Christ, should be fulfilled: “All who take up the sword, shall perish by the sword” (Mt. 26: 52).”
In the end, seven monks stayed with him. St. Moses and six of the monks were killed while one monk hid during the attack. St. Moses died in the year 400 AD.