After a colorful early life as a bandit, Moses the Black became a convert to a hermetic order outside of Alexandria, Egypt, eventually serving as their spiritual leader. At about age 75, (405 AD), word came that a group of Berbers planned to attack the monastery. The brothers wanted to defend themselves, but Moses forbade it. He told them to retreat, rather than take up weapons. He and seven others remained behind and greeted the invaders with open arms, but all eight were martyred by the bandits. Today Moses the Black is honored as an apostle of non-violence. His relics and major shrine are found today at the Church of the Virgin Mary in the Paromeos Monastery.

This photograph is of a modern icon, which is undated. The Lausiac History of Palladius is the main historical source for his life. There is also an account found in the "Bibliotheca Sanctorum" by J. W. Sauget, and approximately 49 apophthegmata found in "The Desert Christian" by Sr. Benedicta Ward.