29 August 2025

In my book of Orthodox saints, a large number seem to have lived in the fourth century. Not only that, they are not plaster cast saints. Certainly, several were martyred for their faith and as such lived remarkably courageous lives.

But there are also very human characteristics evident in them. For example, I was introduced to  ‘Our Holy Father Moses the Black’. I had never heard of him before. He was large in stature and had been a robber before his conversion to Christianity.

Conversion did not lead him into a tranquil life for I was told yesterday that ‘he was greatly troubled by lust’. It’s a sin which besets humanity but it is not often openly recorded in a book of saints. One night, in his despair, he goes to see the monk, Isidore.

He shows him the sun rising at dawn. ‘See, as the light comes, the darkness flies away, not all at once but gradually. So it is with your soul.’ Moses was encouraged by his words. I imagine we are all in need of such advice. Our inner life is not transformed instantaneously but gradually. We need to be patient with ourselves.

Moses the Black finds his own strategy to overcome  his lust. He uses physical exercise to tire himself out. He carries water to aged hermits who were unable to fetch their own and he does this despite severe back pain. We are not told whether his lust was ever fully overcome.

We do not know the struggles which other people experience nor the virtue which is borne out of  resisting temptations of one kind or another. Illumination comes from the Scriptures and the saints but we all need to work out our own strategies to remain faithful to our calling as Christians and ministers.