MOSES the SARACEN, saint. — He is commemorated in the Roman Martyrology on February 7, but the exact day of his death is unknown. He is considered the apostle of the Saracens, to whom he belonged by race, and for whose conversion to Christianity he labored greatly.
Toward the middle of the 4th century, the Saracens were devastating the Roman provinces of Phoenicia, Palestine, and Arabia; their queen Mavia agreed to cease her raids and embrace the Catholic faith (ca. 374) on condition that a bishop of their own race be given to them. Thus Moses was chosen; he lived in solitude and was well known for his virtues. He was taken to Alexandria to be consecrated by Bishop Lucius; but Moses refused to receive consecration from him, knowing him to be an Arian. He was then taken to the mountains, where the Catholic bishops lived in exile; there he allowed himself to be consecrated.