Moses the Patriarch

The Holy Prophet and God-Seer Moses was of the tribe of Levi, the son of Amram and Jochabed (Exodus 6:20). His life is described in the Bible (Exodus 2 through Deuteronomy 34:12).

Moses was born in Egypt around 1689 B.C. When Pharaoh ordered all male children of the Hebrew slaves to be killed (Exodus 1:22), Moses’ mother placed him in a basket of papyrus coated with pitch, and set him adrift on the Nile. Pharaoh’s daughter found him and raised him as her own son.

After killing an Egyptian slavemaster, Moses fled across the Red Sea to Midian, where he encountered the God of Israel in the form of a "burning bush" on Mt. Horeb (Exodus 3:2). God chose Moses to lead His people from the slavery of Egypt.

God sent Moses back to Egypt to request the release of the Israelites. After the Ten Plagues, Moses led the Exodus of the Israelites out of Egypt and across the Red Sea  as if it were dry land, and for forty years they wandered in the desert., after which they based themselves at Mount Sinai, where Moses received the Ten Commandments.

After 40 years of wandering in the desert, Moses died within sight of the Promised Land.

The first two Biblical Odes are attributed to Moses: “Let us sing to the Lord...” (Exodus 15:1-9), which was sung on the shores of the Red Sea after the Hebrews had crossed it. “Attend, O heaven...” (Deut. 32:1-43) was sung in the land of Moab, a few days before Moses’ death. He is also regarded as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament).

The holy Prophet Moses performed many miracles during his lifetime, and also after his death. He appeared on Tabor with the Prophet Elias at the Transfiguration of the Lord (August 6).


Moses the Patriarch - 4 September - Holy Prophet and God-seer

The Collect.

Almighty God, who did call Moses to be thy servant and prophet, to liberate the people of Israel from bondage and formed them into a nation which would bring about the salvation of mankind: grant us o Lord the degree of faith to slip the chains of our oppression and to overcome every obstacle placed before us so that we may come before thee freed in the victory of our Saviour, Jesus Christ; who livest and reignest with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God forever and ever. Amen.


The Lesson - Exodus 13:3, 13:9

Moses said to the people, Remember this day in which you went out from Egypt, from the house of bondage. For by the might of His hand Jehovah brought you out from here. And it shall be for a sign to you on your hand, and a memorial between your eyes, so that a Law of Jehovah may be in your mouth. For with a strong hand Jehovah brought you out from Egypt.


The Holy Gospel - St. Mark 12:24-27

Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God? For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven. And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living.

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