Talk:Moses the Black
Does anybody think that this page might be better served if St. Moses is referred to as "the Ethiopian" and not "the Black"?
- FWIW, in Greek the title is actually 'the Ethiopian'. (also, pls remember to sign your posts with four tildes, as so: '~~~~') -- — edited by Pιsτévο talk complaints at 02:07, July 31, 2006 (CDT)
- Also true. Yes, the article may be better served to title St Moses "the Ethiopian"; may be better served as "the Black".
- However, a couple of things need to be kept in mind. Firstly, using "the Ethiopian" because using 'black' is considered to be offensive to a specific group in a specific location would not, imho, be a valid reason for changing (nor, in the case of African Americans, necessarily true: w:African American; w:Black people). Secondly, in terms of a missionary context, it would be better to stick with a larger title than to limit a saint to their country. Thirdly (and most importantly), the standard in article naming is usually the most commonly accepted form; while 'St Moses the Black' is the title that I am most used to, 'St Moses the Ethiopian' is the variant that I have seen on a number of new icons.
- On this most important of points, I do not have a ready answer, but only references - on the Lectionary of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, he is "St Moses the Ethiopian"; when you click on his link for his Life, he is "St Moses the Black of Skete"; and the icon on the page of his Life appears to be "ο αιθιοψ" (which, I think, is trying to be 'the Ethiopian' - see it larger on this site).
- The obvious copout is just to rename this article to something like Moses (ascetic of Scetis); but perhaps, with other opinions, we may be able to reach a consensus. — edited by Pιsτévο talk complaints at 04:17, July 31, 2006 (CDT)
