Egypt, under the control of the Roman Empire, was struggling to keep its grip on power.
Maurice was the leader of the Egyptian Legion in Thebes, and he and his men were responsible for doing one thing.
They were supposed to stop an uprising against Rome!
But the rebels they encountered weren’t just any rabble rousers. They had something else going on with them. What was it?
They were both Black AND Christians! Maurice, himself a Black Christian, now had a major decision to make. Would he follow the emperor’s orders and kill his own people to satisfy the needs of Rome, Egypt’s conqueror?
No! He put down his sword and refused to kill his people, and word quickly reached the emperor.
The emperor threatened him and his men, but Maurice and his legion still refused. What would the emperor do?
The emperor executed the entire legion, including Maurice – who never once changed his mind.
His refusal to kill his own earned him a sainthood, and he was honored throughout Europe and eventually by the Catholic faith. St. Maurice stood for his people, and gave his life for their protection, regardless of whether authorities demanded otherwise!