Byzantine Saints: Venerable Moses the Ethiopian of Scete (28 August)

About this sermon

St. Moses the Ethiopian, also known as St. Moses the Black, lived in Egypt during the fourth century and became one of the most extraordinary Desert Fathers. In his youth, Moses lived a violent life. After committing murder, he was driven away from his master and joined a band of robbers. Because of his immense physical strength and fierce character, he became their leader, and people trembled at the mention of his name. But through the mercy of God, Moses repented. He abandoned his former life, entered a desert monastery, and begged to be accepted among the brethren. His repentance was not easy. Moses continued to battle powerful passions, enduring strict fasting, all-night prayer, spiritual warfare, despondency, hard labor, and years of struggle. Under the guidance of Abba Isidore, Moses learned that victory over the passions required perseverance and complete dependence upon God. He became known for extraordinary humility and charity. He carried water at night for elderly monks, refused praise, accepted humiliation, and eventually became a deacon and priest. Seventy-five disciples gathered around him. At the age of 75, Moses refused to flee when robbers came to attack the monastery, remembering the words of Christ that those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword. He and six monks received martyrdom. St. Moses the Ethiopian, pray for us. 0:00 St. Moses the Ethiopian of Scete 0:25 Moses’ Ethiopian background 0:34 Murder, exile & joining the robbers 0:43 Moses becomes leader of the bandits 0:51 His sinful life & repentance 1:00 Moses begs to enter the monastery 1:18 Obedience and tears of repentance 1:25 Solitude, fasting & prayer 1:34 Four robbers attack Moses 1:43 Moses brings the robbers to the elders 1:51 His former robbers become monks 2:05 Moses battles the passions 2:13 Abba Isidore teaches fasting 2:30 All-night vigils against temptation 2:39 Moses falls into despondency 2:47 Demons and angels prepared for battle 3:01 The long spiritual struggle 3:16 Moses carries water for the elderly monks 3:31 The demonic attack at the well 3:47 Moses resumes his ascetic struggle 4:02 The passions finally leave him 4:09 Moses receives power over demons 4:17 His reputation spreads 4:26 Moses hides from the governor 4:50 Moses is ordained a deacon 4:58 “Only outwardly white” 5:05 Moses is tested in humility 5:23 Ordination to the priesthood 5:30 Moses gathers 75 disciples 5:37 Warning of the coming attack 5:46 Moses refuses to flee 5:55 “All who take up the sword shall perish by the sword” 6:02 Martyrdom of St. Moses and six monks 6:11 Death of St. Moses around the year 400 https://www.oca.org/saints/lives 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 #StMosesTheEthiopian #StMosesTheBlack #MosesTheBlack #DesertFathers #OrthodoxSaints #CatholicSaints #ChristianSaints #Monasticism #Repentance #SpiritualWarfare #PrayerAndFasting #Martyrdom #SaintOfTheDay #August28 #ChristianConversion #DesertMonks #Scete