Moses the Black

St. Moses the Black (330 - 405) was born into slavery in Egypt. Because Moses was a thief, his owners decided to throw him out, and Moses joined a gang of bandits. At one point, Moses took refuge with the monks of the monastery of Petra in the desert of Skete, Egypt. He was converted to christianity, after meeting St. Macarius and St. Isidore, and became a monk. (He was later ordained into the priesthood, which was at that time considered a high honor). Since Moses was now a pacifist and refused to fight, he died in 405 when Berbers attacked the monastery. He is the patron saint of Africans and is remembered on August the 28th. His relics are at the Church of Al Adra.