The Black Saint Maurice: African Saint in Early Europe (Photo Essay)
Runoko Rashidi
One of the most exciting, inspiring and dynamic figures in European history is Saint Maurice. name Maurice derived from Latin means like a Moor. Black St. (the Knight Holy Lance) regarded as one great patron saints Roman Empire my favorite personalities long African diaspora Europe. Much what we know about shrouded myth. earliest version story account, upon which all later versions are based, found writings Euchenus, Bishop Lyons (ca. 450). According to Eucherius, was high official Thebaid region Southern Egypt--an early center Christianity. Specifically, commander legion Christian soldiers stationed Africa. By decree emperor Maximian, his contingent 6,600 men dispatched Gaul ordered suppress uprising there. disobeyed order. Subsequently, he almost troops were martyred when they chose die rather than persecute Christians, renounce their faith, sacrifice gods Romans. execution Theban Legion occurred Switzerland near Aganaum (which became Maurice-en-Valais) on September 22, either year 280 or 300. During second half fourth century worship spread over broad area Switzerland, northern Italy, Burgundy, along Rhine. Tours, Angers, Lyons, Chalonsur-Saone, Dijon had churches dedicated epoch Islamic Spain, stature reached immense proportions. Charlemagne, grandson Charles Martel distinguished representative Carolingian dynasty, attributed virtues perfect warrior. ln token victory, Charlemagne Lance (a replica holy lance reputed have pierced side Christ) carried before Frankish army. Like general populace, strongly relied for intercession, dynasty prayed this military saint strength resist overcome attacks by enemy forces. In 962, Otto I title archbishopric Magdeburg, Germany. 1000 C.E. only rivaled George Michael. After twelfth century, emperors appointed pope front altar Maurice, Peter's Cathedral Rome. Halle, Germany, monastery with school attached it founded 1184. 1240, splendid Africoid statue placed majestic cathedral Magdeburg. facial characteristics described follows: The relatively small opening closely fitting mail coif sufficient Magdeburg sculptor produce convincing characterization an African. proportions show typical alterations comparison physiognomy. broad, rounded contours nose recognizable although tip has been broken off. features emphasized surviving remains old polychromy. skin colored bluish black, lips red, dark pupils stand out clearly against white eyeballs. golden chain serves, turn, form sharp contrast face (Gude Suckale-Redlefsen, [Houston: Menil Foundation, 1987], p.19). A extreme devotion developed Baltic states, where merchants Tallin Riga adopted iconography. House Heads Riga, instance, possessed polychromed wooden statuette Their seal bore distinct image Moor's head. …
The Journal of Pan-African Studies