It is not known when he was born, but for some time in the 4th century, Moses, like his
ancient namesake, spent many years travelling and preaching in the wilderness in the border region between
Egypt and
Syria. His life of preaching attracted him a large following among eastern
Miaphysites in general and Arabs in particular. This reputation was noted by
Socrates of Constantinople, who describes him as "a
Saracen by birth, who led a monastic life in the desert", who had become "exceedingly eminent for his piety, faith and miracles." Socrates' description of Moses comes by way of his retelling of the exploits of Queen Mavia, who promised to end her armed revolt against the Roman empire on the condition that Moses be "constituted bishop over her
nation."
Valens, the Roman emperor, had no choice but to accept. Mavia's forces, originating in southern Syria, had defeated those of Rome's on multiple occasions, marching through
Palestine and
Phoenicia, to reaching the frontier with Egypt. Moses also refused to be ordained by the
Arian patriarchal see at
Alexandria, choosing to be consecrated by
chalcedonian bishops living in
exile instead. In some accounts, Moses is said to have been nabbed by Roman imperial troops to be taken to be ordained. It is for this reason that he is sometimes confused with
Moses the Black, another saint of the region, who is thought to have died some sixty years after he did. ==Notable mentions in history==