Moïse l'Éthiopien

v. 330-v. 405 4th century Feast day: August 28

Not to judge the faults of others while already carrying one's own.

Who was Moïse l'Éthiopien?

A former Ethiopian slave who became the feared leader of a band of robbers, he one day took refuge among the monks of Scetis and was converted there. A Desert Father, he wrestled for years with his violent past and grew into a master of gentleness and of refusing to judge. He died an old man, killed with his brothers in a raid, having refused to take up arms.

In their own words

Go and stay in your cell, and the cell will teach you everything.

Sayings of the Desert Fathers, alphabetical collection, Moses 6 (PG 65), translated from the Greek by the Manna team

The monk must die to his neighbour, and pass no judgement on him of any sort.

Sayings of the Desert Fathers, alphabetical collection, Moses 18, Manna team version, not collated against the Greek

If the acts do not agree with the prayer, the labour is lost.

Sayings of the Desert Fathers, alphabetical collection, Moses, Manna team version, not collated against the Greek