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E02450: Fragments of a Coptic Encomion with Life and Miracles of Apa *Moyses/Moses of Abydos (S01478) relating the saint's various visions, his clairvoyance and healing powers, mentioning his celebration of the feast day of Apa *Shenoute of Atripe (abbot of the White Monastery, ob. c. 465, S00688) and his general request that Saints' (S00518) feast days are to be observed; written probably in the 6th/7th c.
online resource
posted on 2017-03-05, 00:00 authored by gschenkeIFAO Copte 22–29, 98–100, 263 and 314, pp. 53–60 and 129–144:
The narrative presenting the Life and Miracles of Apa Moses takes the form of an encomion, beginning with the saint’s parents and closing with an account of miracles performed at the saint’s burial site or shrine, see $E03584. Throughout the delivery of his encomion, the author addresses his audience directly as ‘brothers’ or ‘beloved ones’.
The fragments begin with Apa Moses in the midst of his brothers defeating a force of evil and receiving a visit from Christ who encourages him and promises Moyses to act as his helper in the fight against the devil, foretelling him his future fame:
IFAO Copte 98r, p. 53, col. 1, line 1–col. 2, line 4 (Ed. Uljas, p. 378 and 386):
Ϯⲛⲁⲕⲱⲧ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲛⲟⲩⲏⲓ ⲉⲧⲣⲉⲡⲉⲕⲥⲡⲉⲣⲙⲁ ⲟⲩⲱϩ ⲛϩⲏⲧϥ ⲉⲩⲣⲡⲙⲉⲉⲩⲉ ϣⲁ ⲉⲛⲉϩ · ⲁⲩⲱ ϯⲛⲁⲧⲣⲉⲡⲉⲕⲣⲁⲛ ϫⲓ ⲉⲟⲟⲩ ϩⲙ ⲙⲁ ⲛⲓⲙ ⁖ –
‘I will build a house for you to let your seed dwell in it, being commemorated eternally. I will cause your name to be praised everywhere.’
The saint’s appearance and abilities are described as follows:
IFAO Copte 98r, p. 53, col. 2, line 8–IFAO Copte 98v, p. 54, col. 2, line 2 (Ed. Uljas, p. 378–379 and
p. 386–387):
ⲛⲉⲥⲛⲏⲩ ⲇⲉ ⲛⲁⲡⲁ ⲙⲱⲥⲏⲥ ⲁⲩⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲡⲉϥϩⲟ · ⲉϥϣⲟⲟⲡ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩⲛⲟϭ ⲛⲉⲟⲟⲩ ⲙⲛ ⲟⲩⲭⲁⲣⲓⲥ · ϩⲙ ⲡⲧⲣⲉⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ϣⲁϫⲉ ⲛⲙⲙⲁϥ · ⲁⲩⲱ
ⲧⲉⲓⲭⲁⲣⲓⲥ ⲛⲧⲉⲓⲙⲓⲛⲉ ⲙⲛ ⲡⲉⲓⲉⲟⲟⲩ · ⲛⲉⲩϣⲟⲟⲡ ϩⲙ ⲡⲉϥϩⲟ ⲛⲛⲉϥϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ · ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲑⲉ ⲉⲧⲉⲣⲉⲛⲉⲛⲧⲁⲩⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲣⲙⲛⲧⲣⲉ
ϫⲉ ⲉⲣⲉ ⲡⲉϥϩⲟ ⲣⲟⲟⲩⲧ ⲛⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓϣ ⲛⲓⲙ ⲛⲑⲉ ⲛⲛⲉⲧⲧⲁϩⲉ ϩⲁ ⲡⲏⲣⲡ ⁖– ⲁⲩⲱ ⲟⲩϣⲡⲏⲣⲉ ⲛϩⲟⲩⲟ ⲧⲉ ⲧⲁⲓ ϫⲉ ⲙⲛⲛⲥⲁ ⲛⲉⲓϩⲕⲟ ⲙⲛ ⲛⲉⲓⲉⲓⲃⲉ ·
ⲙⲛ ⲛⲉⲓⲟⲩϣⲏ ⲛⲣⲟⲉⲓⲥ · ⲙⲛ ⲛⲉⲓϣⲗⲏⲗ ⲉϫⲉⲛⲱϫⲛ · ⲛⲉⲣⲉ ⲡⲉϥϩⲟ ⲣⲟⲟⲩⲧ · ⲉϥϣⲟⲩⲉⲣⲁϣⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲛ ⲧⲉⲭⲁⲣⲓⲥ ⲙⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ · ⲧⲁⲓ ⲛⲧⲁⲥ
ϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲛⲁϥ ⲛϣⲃⲏⲣⲣϩⲱⲃ ⁖–
ⲟⲩⲟⲛ ⲛⲓⲙ ϭⲉ ⲉⲧⲛⲏⲩ ϣⲁⲣⲟϥ ⲉⲩϣⲱⲛⲉ ⲛⲉⲣⲉ ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ⲭⲁⲣⲓⲍⲉ ⲛⲁⲩ ⲙⲡⲧⲁⲗϭⲟ ⲛⲉⲧⲟⲩⲉⲛⲱⲭⲗⲉⲓ ⲛⲁⲩ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲛⲉ ⲡⲛⲁ ⲛⲁⲕⲁⲑⲁⲣⲧⲟⲛ ·
ⲛⲉⲩⲙⲁⲧⲉ ⲙⲡⲧⲁⲗϭⲟ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲓⲧⲟⲟⲧϥ ⁖–
‘The brethren of Apa Moses saw his face filled with great glory and grace when the Lord spoke to him. And this grace and glory of the said sort remained on his face all his days, according to how all those who saw him testified: “His face was always joyful just like those who are drunk with wine.” And this is a great miracle that after these periods of hunger and thirst, these night vigils and incessant prayers, his face was joyful, pouring out happiness through the grace of God, which became a co-worker for him. Everyone then who was coming to him suffering from an illness, the Lord granted them healing. Those who were possessed by unclean spirits, they obtained healing through him.’
Apa Moses had many more visions, one of an angel who outlined the walls of his future monastery for him. Apa Moses then settled at that spot with a handful of men and received many visitors with ailments who were granted healing through his prayers. In return the monks received assistance with the building of their monastery (IFAO Copte 99v, p. 56 ed. Uljas, p. 388–389).
When a servant of a local dignitary became possessed by a demon, water from the well of the saint’s monastery and some bread, both blessed by the saint, were brought to the patient. The blessed water was poured over him and the demon cried out. He came out of him howling like a dog. Then the patient was given the blessed bread to eat whereupon he was completely freed and healed (IFAO Copte 314r.v, p. 57–58 ed. Uljas, p. 389–390).
The dignitary then came to visit the monastery and instructed his men to help and protect the monks and their monastery in whatever way needed. He received a blessing from the saint before setting off on a mission to meet the emperor in Constantinople, and thus Apa Moses’ fame spread through the capital resulting in annual donations of wheat for the monastery of Apa Moses (IFAO Copte 100r.v, p. 59–69 ed. Uljas, p. 390–391).
IFAO Copte 100v, p. 60, col. 2, lines 18–25:
ⲡⲣⲣⲟ ⲇⲉ ⲁϥⲟⲩⲉϩ ⲥⲁϩⲛⲉ ⲉⲧⲣⲉⲩϯ ⲛϩⲉⲛⲡⲟⲣⲟⲥ ⲛⲥⲟⲩⲟ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲡⲉϥⲙⲟⲛⲁⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲣⲟⲙⲡⲉ : ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲥⲉⲙⲏⲛ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϣⲁ ϩⲣⲁⲓ
ⲉⲡⲟⲟⲩ ⲛϩⲟⲟⲩ
‘The emperor gave an order that there be made annual provisions of wheat to his monastery. These are continuing until the present day.’
Apa Moses also became famous as a prophet foretelling people’s fate.
IFAO Copte 22r, p. 129, col. 2, lines 14–25:
ⲁⲡϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲙⲡⲇⲟⲩⲝ ϯⲥⲟⲉⲓⲧ ⲉⲁⲧⲉⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲓⲁ ⲙⲡⲉⲛⲉⲓⲱⲧ ϫⲱⲕ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ · ϩⲱⲥⲧⲉ ⲛⲥⲉⲣϣⲡⲏⲣⲉ ⲙⲡⲉϥⲥⲟⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲧϫⲏⲕ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ · ⲙⲛ ⲑⲉ
ⲉⲧⲉⲣⲉ ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲧⲟⲩⲛⲟⲩ ⲉⲓⲁⲧⲟⲩ ⲛⲛⲉϥⲡⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛⲛⲉⲧⲛⲁϣⲱⲡⲉ ⁖–
‘The son of the dux achieved fame as the prophecy of our father was fulfilled. One marvelled at his clairvoyance and the way in which God reveals to his saints the things to come.’
As saints receive great gifts from God, let’s all become like them:
IFAO Copte 22v, p. 130, col. 1, lines 1–8:
ⲁⲧⲉⲧⲛⲛⲁⲩ ⲱ ⲛⲁⲙⲉⲣⲁⲧⲉ ⲉⲛⲉⲓⲛⲟϭ ⲛⲭⲁⲣⲓⲥⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲉⲣⲉ ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲙⲙⲟⲟⲩ ⲛⲛⲉϥⲡⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲙⲁⲣⲉⲛⲕⲱϩ ⲇⲉ ⲉⲡⲃⲓⲟⲥ ⲛⲛⲉⲓⲣⲱⲙⲉ
ⲛⲧⲉⲓⲙⲓⲛⲉ
‘You have seen, O my beloved ones, these great gifts which God grants to his saints. Let us therefore emulate the lives of such people.’
Whoever came to Apa Moses in need, whether with an illness or a matter of injustice, he would help and solve their problems. Visitors would come on Saturday to stay the night until Sunday, when he would preach to them. Here the saint’s warning words are quoted in a model sermon (IFAO Copte 23r–25v, p. 131–136, ed. Uljas, p. 414–417).
IFAO Copte 23v, p. 132, col. 1, lines 11–22:
ⲣⲟⲉⲓⲥ ⲉⲡⲉⲧⲛⲙⲁ ⲛⲉⲛⲕⲟⲧⲕ ϩⲛ ⲧⲃⲃⲟ ⲛⲓⲙ · ⲛⲧⲉⲧⲛϩⲁⲣⲉϩ ⲉⲡⲥⲁⲃⲃⲁⲧⲟⲛ ⲙⲛ ⲧⲕⲩⲣⲓⲁⲕⲏ · ⲙⲛ ⲛⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲛⲧⲉⲥⲥⲉⲣⲁⲕⲟⲥⲧⲏ ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲛⲛⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲛⲧⲁ ⲛⲉⲛⲉⲓⲟⲧⲉ ⲛⲁⲡⲟⲥⲧⲟⲗⲟⲥ ⲕⲁⲁⲩ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲉϩⲣⲁⲓ ·
‘Guard your bed in all purity and observe the Sabbath as well as the Day of the Lord and the Forty days (of Lent), and also the days of the saints which our fathers, the apostles, established for us.’
The saint is then being prepared for his death through a series of visions in which angels are informing him about how much time he has left and what will happen to him and his brothers. Prior to leaving this world, he is shown his future heavenly dwellings.
IFAO Copte 28v–29r, p. 142, col. 1, line 13– p. 143, col. 1, line 25:
ⲁⲥϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲇⲉ ⲛⲥⲟⲩ ⲥⲁϣϥ ⲙⲡⲉⲃⲟⲧ ⲉⲡⲏⲡ ⲉϥⲁϩⲉⲣⲁⲧϥ ⲉϥϣⲗⲏⲗ · ⲉⲓⲥ ⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲥⲛⲁⲩ ⲛⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ ⲁⲩⲁϩⲉⲣⲁⲧⲟⲩ ϩⲓϫⲱϥ ⲡⲉϫⲁⲩ ⲛⲁϥ ϫⲉ
ϯⲣⲏⲛⲏ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲡϣⲟⲉⲓϫ ⲙⲡⲉⲭⲥ · ⲛⲧⲁ ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ⲧⲛⲛⲟⲟⲩⲛ ϣⲁⲣⲟⲕ ⲉⲧⲣⲉⲛⲕⲁⲗⲉⲓ ⲙⲙⲟⲕ ⲉⲡⲇⲓⲡⲛⲟⲛ ⲙⲡⲉⲭⲥ · ϫⲉ ⲕⲉⲙⲛⲧϣⲙⲏⲛ ⲛϩⲟⲟⲩ
ⲛⲉ ⲛⲅⲉⲓ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲙ ⲡⲉⲓⲕⲟⲥⲙⲟⲥ ⲛⲅⲉⲓ ϩⲁϩⲧⲏⲛ · ⲛⲧⲉⲣⲟⲩϫⲉ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲇⲉ ⲛⲁϥ ⲁϥⲗⲟ ⲉϥⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲣⲟⲟⲩ · ϣⲱⲣⲡ ⲇⲉ ⲛⲧⲕⲩⲣⲓⲁⲕⲏ ⲁϥⲥⲩⲛⲁⲅⲉ
ⲙⲡⲗⲁⲟⲥ ϩⲛ ⲛⲉϥϭⲓϫ ⲙⲛ ⲛⲉⲥⲛⲏⲩ ⲁϥⲕⲁⲑⲏⲅⲉⲓ ⲙⲙⲟⲟⲩ ϩⲙ ⲡⲣⲡⲙⲉⲉⲩⲉ ⲙⲡⲉⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲏⲥ ⲁⲡⲁ ϣⲉⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲙⲡⲧⲟⲟⲩ ⲛⲁⲧⲣⲡⲉ ⁖– ϩⲣⲁⲓ
ⲇⲉ ϩⲛ ⲥⲟⲩ ⲙⲏⲧ ⲛⲉⲡⲏⲡ ⲉⲧⲉⲓ ⲉϥϣⲗⲏⲗ ⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲉ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩⲉⲕⲥⲧⲁⲥⲓⲥ · ⲁⲩϫⲓⲧϥ ϩⲙ ⲡⲉⲡⲛⲁ ⲁⲩⲧⲥⲁⲃⲟϥ ⲉϩⲉⲛⲙⲁ ⲛϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲉⲙⲛ ⲑⲉ
ⲛϣⲁϫⲉ ⲉⲡⲉⲩⲉⲟⲟⲩ ⲙⲛ ⲡⲉⲩⲥⲧⲓⲛⲟⲩϥⲉ ⁖– ⲁϥϣⲁϫⲉ ⲇⲉ ⲙⲛ ⲛⲉⲧⲙⲟϣⲉ ⲛⲙⲙⲁϥ ϫⲉ ⲛⲁ ⲛⲓⲙ ⲛⲉ ⲛⲁⲓ · ⲡⲉϫⲁⲩ ϫⲉ ⲛⲧⲁⲩⲭⲁⲣⲓⲍⲉ ⲙⲙⲟⲩ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲙⲛ ⲛⲉⲕϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲛϣⲃⲃⲓⲱ ⲛⲛⲉⲧⲛϩⲓⲥⲉ ⲉⲡⲉⲓⲇⲏ ⲁⲡⲉⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓϣ ⲙⲡⲉⲕϭⲙⲡϣⲓⲛⲉ ϩⲱⲛ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ · ⲛⲧⲁ ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲧⲛⲛⲟⲟⲩⲛ ϣⲁⲣⲟⲕ
ⲉⲧⲣⲉⲛⲥⲗⲥⲱⲗⲕ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϫⲉ ⲁⲕⲙⲓϣⲉ ϩⲙ ⲡⲁⲅⲱⲛ ⲉⲧⲛⲁⲛⲟⲩϥ ⲁⲕϫⲣⲟ ⲉⲡⲇⲓⲁⲃⲟⲗⲟⲥ ⁖– ϯ ⲇⲉ ⲉⲧⲟⲟⲧϥ ⲙⲡⲁⲩⲗⲟⲥ ⲡⲉⲕⲥⲟⲛ ⲙⲡⲟⲟϩⲉ ⲛⲧⲁ
ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ⲧⲁⲁϥ ⲛⲁⲕ ⁖–
‘It then happened on day seven of the month of Epeiph (1 July, feast day of Shenoute), as he stood praying, behold, two luminous men stood by him and said to him: “Peace be with you, O athlete of Christ! The Lord sent us to you so that we might summon you to the banquet of Christ. Another eighteen days and you will depart from this world and come to us.” After they had said these things to him, he saw them no more. On Sunday morning he personally gave communion to the people and the brothers, and he instructed them through the commemoration of the prophet Apa Shenoute of the monastery at Atripe.
On the tenth day of Epeiph, while he was still praying, he descended into a trance. He was seized by the spirit and shown dwellings whose glory and sweet odour were beyond words. He asked those who were walking with him: “To whom do these belong?” They said: “They have been granted to you and your children as a requital of your toils, because the time of your visitation has drawn near. For the Lord sent us to you so that we might console you, because you have fought the good fight and you have vanquished the devil. Entrust your brother Paul with the flock with which the Lord has entrusted you.”’
Apa Moses then falls ill, prepares the monks for his departure, and announces his successor.
(Text and trans.: S. Uljas, slightly modified)
The narrative presenting the Life and Miracles of Apa Moses takes the form of an encomion, beginning with the saint’s parents and closing with an account of miracles performed at the saint’s burial site or shrine, see $E03584. Throughout the delivery of his encomion, the author addresses his audience directly as ‘brothers’ or ‘beloved ones’.
The fragments begin with Apa Moses in the midst of his brothers defeating a force of evil and receiving a visit from Christ who encourages him and promises Moyses to act as his helper in the fight against the devil, foretelling him his future fame:
IFAO Copte 98r, p. 53, col. 1, line 1–col. 2, line 4 (Ed. Uljas, p. 378 and 386):
Ϯⲛⲁⲕⲱⲧ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲛⲟⲩⲏⲓ ⲉⲧⲣⲉⲡⲉⲕⲥⲡⲉⲣⲙⲁ ⲟⲩⲱϩ ⲛϩⲏⲧϥ ⲉⲩⲣⲡⲙⲉⲉⲩⲉ ϣⲁ ⲉⲛⲉϩ · ⲁⲩⲱ ϯⲛⲁⲧⲣⲉⲡⲉⲕⲣⲁⲛ ϫⲓ ⲉⲟⲟⲩ ϩⲙ ⲙⲁ ⲛⲓⲙ ⁖ –
‘I will build a house for you to let your seed dwell in it, being commemorated eternally. I will cause your name to be praised everywhere.’
The saint’s appearance and abilities are described as follows:
IFAO Copte 98r, p. 53, col. 2, line 8–IFAO Copte 98v, p. 54, col. 2, line 2 (Ed. Uljas, p. 378–379 and
p. 386–387):
ⲛⲉⲥⲛⲏⲩ ⲇⲉ ⲛⲁⲡⲁ ⲙⲱⲥⲏⲥ ⲁⲩⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲡⲉϥϩⲟ · ⲉϥϣⲟⲟⲡ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩⲛⲟϭ ⲛⲉⲟⲟⲩ ⲙⲛ ⲟⲩⲭⲁⲣⲓⲥ · ϩⲙ ⲡⲧⲣⲉⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ϣⲁϫⲉ ⲛⲙⲙⲁϥ · ⲁⲩⲱ
ⲧⲉⲓⲭⲁⲣⲓⲥ ⲛⲧⲉⲓⲙⲓⲛⲉ ⲙⲛ ⲡⲉⲓⲉⲟⲟⲩ · ⲛⲉⲩϣⲟⲟⲡ ϩⲙ ⲡⲉϥϩⲟ ⲛⲛⲉϥϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ · ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲑⲉ ⲉⲧⲉⲣⲉⲛⲉⲛⲧⲁⲩⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲣⲙⲛⲧⲣⲉ
ϫⲉ ⲉⲣⲉ ⲡⲉϥϩⲟ ⲣⲟⲟⲩⲧ ⲛⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓϣ ⲛⲓⲙ ⲛⲑⲉ ⲛⲛⲉⲧⲧⲁϩⲉ ϩⲁ ⲡⲏⲣⲡ ⁖– ⲁⲩⲱ ⲟⲩϣⲡⲏⲣⲉ ⲛϩⲟⲩⲟ ⲧⲉ ⲧⲁⲓ ϫⲉ ⲙⲛⲛⲥⲁ ⲛⲉⲓϩⲕⲟ ⲙⲛ ⲛⲉⲓⲉⲓⲃⲉ ·
ⲙⲛ ⲛⲉⲓⲟⲩϣⲏ ⲛⲣⲟⲉⲓⲥ · ⲙⲛ ⲛⲉⲓϣⲗⲏⲗ ⲉϫⲉⲛⲱϫⲛ · ⲛⲉⲣⲉ ⲡⲉϥϩⲟ ⲣⲟⲟⲩⲧ · ⲉϥϣⲟⲩⲉⲣⲁϣⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲛ ⲧⲉⲭⲁⲣⲓⲥ ⲙⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ · ⲧⲁⲓ ⲛⲧⲁⲥ
ϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲛⲁϥ ⲛϣⲃⲏⲣⲣϩⲱⲃ ⁖–
ⲟⲩⲟⲛ ⲛⲓⲙ ϭⲉ ⲉⲧⲛⲏⲩ ϣⲁⲣⲟϥ ⲉⲩϣⲱⲛⲉ ⲛⲉⲣⲉ ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ⲭⲁⲣⲓⲍⲉ ⲛⲁⲩ ⲙⲡⲧⲁⲗϭⲟ ⲛⲉⲧⲟⲩⲉⲛⲱⲭⲗⲉⲓ ⲛⲁⲩ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲛⲉ ⲡⲛⲁ ⲛⲁⲕⲁⲑⲁⲣⲧⲟⲛ ·
ⲛⲉⲩⲙⲁⲧⲉ ⲙⲡⲧⲁⲗϭⲟ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲓⲧⲟⲟⲧϥ ⁖–
‘The brethren of Apa Moses saw his face filled with great glory and grace when the Lord spoke to him. And this grace and glory of the said sort remained on his face all his days, according to how all those who saw him testified: “His face was always joyful just like those who are drunk with wine.” And this is a great miracle that after these periods of hunger and thirst, these night vigils and incessant prayers, his face was joyful, pouring out happiness through the grace of God, which became a co-worker for him. Everyone then who was coming to him suffering from an illness, the Lord granted them healing. Those who were possessed by unclean spirits, they obtained healing through him.’
Apa Moses had many more visions, one of an angel who outlined the walls of his future monastery for him. Apa Moses then settled at that spot with a handful of men and received many visitors with ailments who were granted healing through his prayers. In return the monks received assistance with the building of their monastery (IFAO Copte 99v, p. 56 ed. Uljas, p. 388–389).
When a servant of a local dignitary became possessed by a demon, water from the well of the saint’s monastery and some bread, both blessed by the saint, were brought to the patient. The blessed water was poured over him and the demon cried out. He came out of him howling like a dog. Then the patient was given the blessed bread to eat whereupon he was completely freed and healed (IFAO Copte 314r.v, p. 57–58 ed. Uljas, p. 389–390).
The dignitary then came to visit the monastery and instructed his men to help and protect the monks and their monastery in whatever way needed. He received a blessing from the saint before setting off on a mission to meet the emperor in Constantinople, and thus Apa Moses’ fame spread through the capital resulting in annual donations of wheat for the monastery of Apa Moses (IFAO Copte 100r.v, p. 59–69 ed. Uljas, p. 390–391).
IFAO Copte 100v, p. 60, col. 2, lines 18–25:
ⲡⲣⲣⲟ ⲇⲉ ⲁϥⲟⲩⲉϩ ⲥⲁϩⲛⲉ ⲉⲧⲣⲉⲩϯ ⲛϩⲉⲛⲡⲟⲣⲟⲥ ⲛⲥⲟⲩⲟ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲡⲉϥⲙⲟⲛⲁⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲣⲟⲙⲡⲉ : ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲥⲉⲙⲏⲛ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϣⲁ ϩⲣⲁⲓ
ⲉⲡⲟⲟⲩ ⲛϩⲟⲟⲩ
‘The emperor gave an order that there be made annual provisions of wheat to his monastery. These are continuing until the present day.’
Apa Moses also became famous as a prophet foretelling people’s fate.
IFAO Copte 22r, p. 129, col. 2, lines 14–25:
ⲁⲡϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲙⲡⲇⲟⲩⲝ ϯⲥⲟⲉⲓⲧ ⲉⲁⲧⲉⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲓⲁ ⲙⲡⲉⲛⲉⲓⲱⲧ ϫⲱⲕ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ · ϩⲱⲥⲧⲉ ⲛⲥⲉⲣϣⲡⲏⲣⲉ ⲙⲡⲉϥⲥⲟⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲧϫⲏⲕ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ · ⲙⲛ ⲑⲉ
ⲉⲧⲉⲣⲉ ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲧⲟⲩⲛⲟⲩ ⲉⲓⲁⲧⲟⲩ ⲛⲛⲉϥⲡⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛⲛⲉⲧⲛⲁϣⲱⲡⲉ ⁖–
‘The son of the dux achieved fame as the prophecy of our father was fulfilled. One marvelled at his clairvoyance and the way in which God reveals to his saints the things to come.’
As saints receive great gifts from God, let’s all become like them:
IFAO Copte 22v, p. 130, col. 1, lines 1–8:
ⲁⲧⲉⲧⲛⲛⲁⲩ ⲱ ⲛⲁⲙⲉⲣⲁⲧⲉ ⲉⲛⲉⲓⲛⲟϭ ⲛⲭⲁⲣⲓⲥⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲉⲣⲉ ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲙⲙⲟⲟⲩ ⲛⲛⲉϥⲡⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲙⲁⲣⲉⲛⲕⲱϩ ⲇⲉ ⲉⲡⲃⲓⲟⲥ ⲛⲛⲉⲓⲣⲱⲙⲉ
ⲛⲧⲉⲓⲙⲓⲛⲉ
‘You have seen, O my beloved ones, these great gifts which God grants to his saints. Let us therefore emulate the lives of such people.’
Whoever came to Apa Moses in need, whether with an illness or a matter of injustice, he would help and solve their problems. Visitors would come on Saturday to stay the night until Sunday, when he would preach to them. Here the saint’s warning words are quoted in a model sermon (IFAO Copte 23r–25v, p. 131–136, ed. Uljas, p. 414–417).
IFAO Copte 23v, p. 132, col. 1, lines 11–22:
ⲣⲟⲉⲓⲥ ⲉⲡⲉⲧⲛⲙⲁ ⲛⲉⲛⲕⲟⲧⲕ ϩⲛ ⲧⲃⲃⲟ ⲛⲓⲙ · ⲛⲧⲉⲧⲛϩⲁⲣⲉϩ ⲉⲡⲥⲁⲃⲃⲁⲧⲟⲛ ⲙⲛ ⲧⲕⲩⲣⲓⲁⲕⲏ · ⲙⲛ ⲛⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲛⲧⲉⲥⲥⲉⲣⲁⲕⲟⲥⲧⲏ ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲛⲛⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲛⲧⲁ ⲛⲉⲛⲉⲓⲟⲧⲉ ⲛⲁⲡⲟⲥⲧⲟⲗⲟⲥ ⲕⲁⲁⲩ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲉϩⲣⲁⲓ ·
‘Guard your bed in all purity and observe the Sabbath as well as the Day of the Lord and the Forty days (of Lent), and also the days of the saints which our fathers, the apostles, established for us.’
The saint is then being prepared for his death through a series of visions in which angels are informing him about how much time he has left and what will happen to him and his brothers. Prior to leaving this world, he is shown his future heavenly dwellings.
IFAO Copte 28v–29r, p. 142, col. 1, line 13– p. 143, col. 1, line 25:
ⲁⲥϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲇⲉ ⲛⲥⲟⲩ ⲥⲁϣϥ ⲙⲡⲉⲃⲟⲧ ⲉⲡⲏⲡ ⲉϥⲁϩⲉⲣⲁⲧϥ ⲉϥϣⲗⲏⲗ · ⲉⲓⲥ ⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲥⲛⲁⲩ ⲛⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ ⲁⲩⲁϩⲉⲣⲁⲧⲟⲩ ϩⲓϫⲱϥ ⲡⲉϫⲁⲩ ⲛⲁϥ ϫⲉ
ϯⲣⲏⲛⲏ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲡϣⲟⲉⲓϫ ⲙⲡⲉⲭⲥ · ⲛⲧⲁ ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ⲧⲛⲛⲟⲟⲩⲛ ϣⲁⲣⲟⲕ ⲉⲧⲣⲉⲛⲕⲁⲗⲉⲓ ⲙⲙⲟⲕ ⲉⲡⲇⲓⲡⲛⲟⲛ ⲙⲡⲉⲭⲥ · ϫⲉ ⲕⲉⲙⲛⲧϣⲙⲏⲛ ⲛϩⲟⲟⲩ
ⲛⲉ ⲛⲅⲉⲓ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲙ ⲡⲉⲓⲕⲟⲥⲙⲟⲥ ⲛⲅⲉⲓ ϩⲁϩⲧⲏⲛ · ⲛⲧⲉⲣⲟⲩϫⲉ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲇⲉ ⲛⲁϥ ⲁϥⲗⲟ ⲉϥⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲣⲟⲟⲩ · ϣⲱⲣⲡ ⲇⲉ ⲛⲧⲕⲩⲣⲓⲁⲕⲏ ⲁϥⲥⲩⲛⲁⲅⲉ
ⲙⲡⲗⲁⲟⲥ ϩⲛ ⲛⲉϥϭⲓϫ ⲙⲛ ⲛⲉⲥⲛⲏⲩ ⲁϥⲕⲁⲑⲏⲅⲉⲓ ⲙⲙⲟⲟⲩ ϩⲙ ⲡⲣⲡⲙⲉⲉⲩⲉ ⲙⲡⲉⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲏⲥ ⲁⲡⲁ ϣⲉⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲙⲡⲧⲟⲟⲩ ⲛⲁⲧⲣⲡⲉ ⁖– ϩⲣⲁⲓ
ⲇⲉ ϩⲛ ⲥⲟⲩ ⲙⲏⲧ ⲛⲉⲡⲏⲡ ⲉⲧⲉⲓ ⲉϥϣⲗⲏⲗ ⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲉ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩⲉⲕⲥⲧⲁⲥⲓⲥ · ⲁⲩϫⲓⲧϥ ϩⲙ ⲡⲉⲡⲛⲁ ⲁⲩⲧⲥⲁⲃⲟϥ ⲉϩⲉⲛⲙⲁ ⲛϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲉⲙⲛ ⲑⲉ
ⲛϣⲁϫⲉ ⲉⲡⲉⲩⲉⲟⲟⲩ ⲙⲛ ⲡⲉⲩⲥⲧⲓⲛⲟⲩϥⲉ ⁖– ⲁϥϣⲁϫⲉ ⲇⲉ ⲙⲛ ⲛⲉⲧⲙⲟϣⲉ ⲛⲙⲙⲁϥ ϫⲉ ⲛⲁ ⲛⲓⲙ ⲛⲉ ⲛⲁⲓ · ⲡⲉϫⲁⲩ ϫⲉ ⲛⲧⲁⲩⲭⲁⲣⲓⲍⲉ ⲙⲙⲟⲩ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲙⲛ ⲛⲉⲕϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲛϣⲃⲃⲓⲱ ⲛⲛⲉⲧⲛϩⲓⲥⲉ ⲉⲡⲉⲓⲇⲏ ⲁⲡⲉⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓϣ ⲙⲡⲉⲕϭⲙⲡϣⲓⲛⲉ ϩⲱⲛ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ · ⲛⲧⲁ ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲧⲛⲛⲟⲟⲩⲛ ϣⲁⲣⲟⲕ
ⲉⲧⲣⲉⲛⲥⲗⲥⲱⲗⲕ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϫⲉ ⲁⲕⲙⲓϣⲉ ϩⲙ ⲡⲁⲅⲱⲛ ⲉⲧⲛⲁⲛⲟⲩϥ ⲁⲕϫⲣⲟ ⲉⲡⲇⲓⲁⲃⲟⲗⲟⲥ ⁖– ϯ ⲇⲉ ⲉⲧⲟⲟⲧϥ ⲙⲡⲁⲩⲗⲟⲥ ⲡⲉⲕⲥⲟⲛ ⲙⲡⲟⲟϩⲉ ⲛⲧⲁ
ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ⲧⲁⲁϥ ⲛⲁⲕ ⁖–
‘It then happened on day seven of the month of Epeiph (1 July, feast day of Shenoute), as he stood praying, behold, two luminous men stood by him and said to him: “Peace be with you, O athlete of Christ! The Lord sent us to you so that we might summon you to the banquet of Christ. Another eighteen days and you will depart from this world and come to us.” After they had said these things to him, he saw them no more. On Sunday morning he personally gave communion to the people and the brothers, and he instructed them through the commemoration of the prophet Apa Shenoute of the monastery at Atripe.
On the tenth day of Epeiph, while he was still praying, he descended into a trance. He was seized by the spirit and shown dwellings whose glory and sweet odour were beyond words. He asked those who were walking with him: “To whom do these belong?” They said: “They have been granted to you and your children as a requital of your toils, because the time of your visitation has drawn near. For the Lord sent us to you so that we might console you, because you have fought the good fight and you have vanquished the devil. Entrust your brother Paul with the flock with which the Lord has entrusted you.”’
Apa Moses then falls ill, prepares the monks for his departure, and announces his successor.
(Text and trans.: S. Uljas, slightly modified)
History
Evidence ID
E02450Saint Name
Moyses/Moses, Apa Moyses of Abydos, monk and abbot in Upper Egypt : S01478 Shenoute, abbot of the White Monastery near Akhmim/Panopolis (Upper Egypt), ob. c. 465. : S00688 Saints, unnamed : S00518Saint Name in Source
ⲁⲡⲁ ⲙⲱⲥⲏⲥ ⲁⲡⲁ ϣⲉⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉRelated Saint Records
Type of Evidence
Literary - Hagiographical - Collections of miracles Literary - Sermons/Homilies Late antique original manuscripts - Parchment codexLanguage
- Coptic
Evidence not before
600Evidence not after
699Activity not before
600Activity not after
699Place of Evidence - Region
Egypt and CyrenaicaPlace of evidence - City name in other Language(s)
Hermopolis ϣⲙⲟⲩⲛ Ashmunein HermopolisCult activities - Festivals
- Saint’s feast
