St. Moses of Black

The vengeful, knife-wielding bandit known as Moses the Black terrorized northeast Africa with his tribe of felons until, seeking asylum in a monastery, he was moved to conversion. Though his adventurous spirit never died, Moses eventually became a priest and a spiritual leader of desert hermits, always seeking perfect holiness. When he was about 75, robbers attacked the monastery. Moses stayed to protect his brothers, and was martyred.

Feast Day: August 28

Patronage: Criminals, Non-Violence