HISTORY CHRISTIANITY, BLACK OR NUBIAN SAINTS

Black Saint: St. Maurice Patron Of German Royalty

May it evoke euphoria or even nostalgia for the good old days by the starved multitudes of modern day adherents of Christianity? Yet Saints are an intriguing group of men, women and children of all races (powerful, powerless, inept, articulate and disabled) who through their dedication, suffered, and in many instances gave their lives in exchange for the perpetuation of a doctrine. While, the worship of saints is a concept of ancestral worship that has always been an integral part of African culture.

St. Maurice was a celebrated personality in Europe since the Third Century of the Christian era. He was born a Theban (Nubian) in Upper Egypt or Sudan. Even though Christianity was flourishing in this region, it was under the control of the Roman Empire as other lands in the vicinity of the Mediterranean Sea. St. Maurice was the leader of the Roman legion of the district. In autumn of 285 C.E., Emperor Maximilian sent a large army to Switzerland to oppose a rebellion in the south of Galla. These forces included the Theban Legion.

St. Maurice was assigned to Agaunium, 20 Kilometers from the Genfer Lakes. At a large field service before the battle, the soldiers were required to worship icons of pagan gods that included a statue of the emperor. The entire legion refused. This was considered an act of rebellion and blasphemy. They were charged with high treason and mutiny before the enemy. The result was the beheading of Maurice and his companions. From then, Christians cherished and adored Maurice as a martyr. Within a century of his passing, he was beatified and a church was constructed over his tomb.

The Swiss national flag bears a white cross in his honour. Over the ages the cult of Maurice spread over Germany where he became the official Saint Knight of the Emperors and Bishops who sought his miracles and blessings. Coins and Coats of Arms for many districts and cities in Germany were made in his honour. He is still worshipped in Poland, Romania, Switzerland, Austria, Greece, Italy, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Britain, Germany & the former states of Yugoslavia, where his iconography decorates churches and shrines. His feast days are: February 25th, June 3rd, September 11th, 22nd, & 28th, October 11th, 16th & 19th.

MOSES THE BLACK (330 -405) A feared Ethiopian who became a hermit. He refused to defend himself against a band of Arabs and was murdered along with six other monks.

St. AUGUSTINE (Born Nov. 13, 354 C.E And Died August 28, 430 C.E)
Born in North Africa. His mother, Saint Monica, was tried by his early years which he spent in vice. He later became a professor of rhetoric. He worked in Tagaste, Carthage, Rome and Milan. St. Ambrose baptized him at age 32, the same year his mother died. For many years he lived a monastic life with a few associates near Tagaste. He was ordained a priest at Hippo and within three years, became the bishop of the city. From then on he dedicated all his intellectual ability to being a defender of the faith.

Monks, nuns, priests, canons, friars and hermits follow his ideas to this day. He is one of the most prolific thinkers and certainly one of the most influential. His writings are considered classics and it is well known that he influenced individuals like Luther who went on to form his own sect in Augsburg, Germany. In life, Augustine can be described as a rebellious youth who went on to be a scholar and thence to be one of the most revered saints. His relics are enshrined in many Christian centres throughout the world.

FELIX THE MOOR Died 303
Felix was soldier who was beheaded along with his companion for their confession of faith. Felix died in 303 AD. Felix was a Bishop of Thibiuca in Africa. He refused to surrender his books to the local magistrate and was sent to the pro consul of Carthage. He persisted in his refusal and was beheaded.

ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR
(1526-89) First was sold as a slave in Italy .He was later freed and became a solitary settling with other hermits. He soon became a superior in his community and received due recognition. He was well renown for being pious which earned him quite a reputation. As a confessor he attracted many visitors who craved to see this obscure cook. He is the patron saint of the African-Americans. His title the Moor is derived from Italian for Il Moro (the black).

Home Introduction ± Christianity Pages: ± Previous ± 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ± Next ±