Moses was an Ethiopian slave in the house of a government official in Egypt until he was dismissed for theft. He was a tall and imposing figure, and a natural leader. He became the leader of a gang of brigands who were the terror of the Nile Valley. They raided villages, attacked travellers and killed whoever opposed them. The local governor sent out his troops to get him. One night, the gang was surprised by sheepdogs who prevented them from robbing a rich man. In his angry and revengeful hatred, Moses swam over a mile-wide river in search of the shepherd who owned these dogs. When he did not find him, he killed a few rams in his rage and carried them single-handed back to camp. As government troops were drawing near, Moses fled into the desert and sought refuge in a Coptic monastery to lie low until he could gather his gang again. The monks welcomed the giant man with his cruel expression without questions. Probably to his own surprise, he started to grow an admiration for the peaceful dedication of the monks. Gradually their brotherly love transformed the brigand. He asked to be baptised and join the community. Monastic life proved to be difficult for the adventurer still full of anger and hate. Discipline and obedience did not come easy. One of his struggles was with chastity (see Saint 2.37). In his life he had known many women, now he only wanted to belong to God. But his body needed more time to adjust than his mind. #SaintMosestheEthiopian #catholicsaint #onlinesaints
