Saint Moses is commemorated on June 18

 

All human beings created by God are created as holy souls. God does not create anyone as evil or wicked. However, due to circumstances and human selfishness, they turn into sinful and wicked individuals. The life of Abba Moses reveals this great mystery to us.

 

Moses was born around AD 330/332 in Ethiopia, Africa. Due to his dark complexion, people called him the Black, the Deformed, and the Strong. However, he had the strength of mind to accept these names without resentment. In his childhood, he became a slave to a high-ranking government official in Egypt. Over time, he became notorious for his cruelty and crimes, gaining a reputation as a violent and ruthless enforcer. Eventually, his crimes became uncontrollable, even for his master. He turned into a dangerous murderer and, in search of freedom, fled to the desert. There, along with a group of like-minded individuals, he formed a gang of bandits. He led them in numerous robberies and murders, finding pleasure in looting and violence. Over time, he became fearless and merciless in his actions.

 

At one point, he received information that a large force was coming to capture him. To escape, Moses swam across the Nile River and fled to the Skete Desert (modern-day Wadi El-Natrun in Egypt). At that time, this desert was home to Christian monks and monasteries. Seeking refuge, he unknowingly entered one of these monasteries.

 

The prayerful and innocent life of the monks deeply moved Moses. The Holy Spirit revealed to him the cruelty of his past life, and he longed for true repentance. Eventually, he approached Abba Isidore, the abbot of the monastery, who led him to Abba Macarius for spiritual guidance. Abba Macarius taught him about the incarnation of Christ, the principles of monastic life, and the path to salvation. Moses decided to completely transform his life and follow the monastic way.

 

This marked the beginning of a new era in Skete Monastery. Moses engaged in strict ascetic practices to cleanse his soul. He voluntarily took up the hardest tasks in the monastery and even carried out duties beyond what was assigned to him. The same people who once mocked him as a bandit and a deformed man now began to call him a holy man. However, Satan attempted to bring despair into his heart through guilt. With prayer and guidance from Abba Isidore, Moses overcame these struggles.

 

For seven years, Moses practiced severe asceticism. He lived in a pit, standing constantly—neither sitting nor lying down. Through his deep prayer and devotion, he was able to conquer Satan. Eventually, Patriarch Theophilos ordained Moses as a priest. Later, he was entrusted with the responsibility of leading a new monastic community, where seventy disciples lived under his guidance. One day, God revealed to Moses that he would receive the crown of martyrdom. He foresaw that he would die by the sword, just as he had once taken many lives with the sword.

 

In AD 405, barbarians attacked the monastery. Moses, knowing of the impending attack, encouraged his disciples to flee. However, seven disciples chose to stay with him. Moses reminded them of Jesus' words:  "All who take the sword will perish by the sword." (Matthew 26:52)

 

In the end, the invaders beheaded Moses with a sword. One of his disciples witnessed crowns descending from heaven for the martyrs.  Saint Moses is commemorated on June 18.

 

His life teaches us that even the hardest of hearts can be transformed through prayer and faith, and that even the greatest sinner can attain the crown of salvation.  May Saint Moses' prayers be with us all!