ST. MOSES (SEPT. 4TH)

 

The Prophet Moses, by Francesco Rosselli, AD 1490 

By Bp. Joseph (Ancient Church of the West)

Today, September 4th, according to the Byzantine calendar, the Western Orthodox celebrate the heroic life, prophetic work, and powerful testimony of our Patriarch and Father in the Faith, St. Moses the Law-Giver (approx. BC 1571-1451, according to the Ussher Chronology). 

A Moses Icon from the 2nd Century Jewish Synagogue in Dura Europos, Syria

Anonymous Contemporary Icon, Moses and the Unburning Bush, Comparing the Bush that Contained God’s Uncreated Glory with the Most Holy Theotokos 

At the Transfiguration of Our Lord, Sts. Moses and Elijah Came to Meet with Christ on the Mountain Top

St. Moses was born in Egypt as a slave, during a time of persecution against God’s people. By a miracle, he was raised as a prince by Pharaoh’s daughter, called “Moses”, meaning “drawn from the water”, and receiving the best education of Egypt. Later, he was banished to the desert, where he spent forty years in ascetic struggle. When he encountered the burning bush, he received and obeyed the word of God. He followed God’s command and led the Hebrews out of captivity, leading them to Mount Sinai, where they received the Ten Commandments. Condemned to wander in the wilderness for forty more years, St. Moses wrote the Pentateuch and composed psalms of praise to God. He then died, before the people crossed over the Jordan into the promised land, and Satan and Archangel Michael fought over his body. Taken into heaven, St. Moses returned to earth to consult with Our Lord at the Transfiguration, showing that Christ was greater than he was, and that Christ fulfilled all the Law and the Prophets. 

St. Moses is a foundational, covenantal character in Scripture, following the other great Patriarchs Adam, Noah and Abraham. St Moses brought the final revelation of God’s Law as the most important Prophet of the Old Testament, which was then fulfilled in and replaced by the Life of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. By condemning all mankind under the Law, St. Moses showed the path of repentance and forgiveness through the mercy of God and the work of Christ’s life, death, resurrection, ascension and coming again to rule and reign forever. 

COLLECT 

ALMIGHTY God, Who hast called us to faith in Thee, and haast compassed us about with so great a cloud of witnesses; Grant that we, encouraged by the good examples of Thy Patriarch and Prophet, St. Moses, may persevere in following Thy holy commandments that Thou hast set before us, until at length, through Thy mercy, we, with him, attain to Thine eternal joy; through Him who is the author and finisher of our faith, Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.