Moisès de Roma

Who they were

Saint Moses of Rome lived at the time of the persecution of the Emperor Decius, in the mid-3rd century, when many bishops and Pope Fabian himself were killed and it was impossible for months to elect a new pope. In this period the Roman Church was administered by a college of priests, among whom Moses stood out for prestige and seniority.

During the persecution many Christians had renounced their faith, and sharp disputes broke out between those who wanted strict discipline and those, like Moses, who favoured tolerance for those who had denied the faith or fled danger. He died in 251 after a long imprisonment; though not a martyr in the strict sense, in more recent times he has been given that title for having borne witness to his faith even in chains.

The miracles

There was never a formal cause: he has been honoured as a saint since before the Church's formal processes began.

Why that counted as sanctity

Roman priest who led the college of priests after Pope Fabian's death and argued for leniency toward Christians who had lapsed under persecution; died in prison in 251, later honoured as a martyr; feast 25 November.

Connected on this site

• Moses of Rome Saint
  “Saint Moses of Rome lived at the time of the persecution of the Emperor Decius, in the mid-3rd century, when many bishops and Pope Fabian himself were killed and it was impossible for months to elect a new pope.” — this site's research