Saint Moses was a slave of Ethiopian descent. His master had expelled him from his home for his difficult disposition and in consequence of murder and theft. For some time he became the leader of some brigands. Moved by grace in a weighty circumstance of his life, he gave himself up to a monastery and did penance there in order to bring his old companions back to Christ's faith. He lived in a saintly manner in the desert of Skete and received priestly ordination. He died sometime during the Fourth century at the age of seventy-five, leaving seventy disciples after him.

Saint Augustine was born on November 13, 354 in Tagaste, Numidia. His father Patricius was a pagan and his mother Monica was a Christian. After brilliant studies in Tagaste, Madaura, and Carthage, during which he led a dissolute life, he became united to the Manichean sect. He taught for some time in Carthage, then in Rome and Milan. In Milan he met Saint Ambrose and was converted to the true faith and finally started in the ways of sanctity (386), as he later related in his famous "Confessions." As early as 391 he was elevated to the priesthood in Hippo. He became Bishop of Hippo in 396. During his thirty-four year episcopate he instructed his people and composed numerous treatises on various questions, particularly upon the defense of the Orthodox faith against the Manichean, Donatist, and Pelagian heretics. He died on August 28, 430, at the time when the Vandals were besieging his episcopal city.