Moses: The Cross & the Gun: An Orthodox Christian Novel Inspired by Saint Moses the Black

by Creative Orthodox, Michael Elgamal

You've never read a saint story like this before.

Moe ruled the city with gun and muscle. In a single night, he lost everything. Hunted and out of options, he hides in an Orthodox monastery, where an elder meets his violence with unyielding grace.

When the old life claws him back, Moe has to revenge or redemption. The cross, or the gun.

A gritty Orthodox Christian novel of sin and redemption, inspired by the life of Saint Moses the Black.

This is not a sanitized saint story. The Cross and the Gun is a fast-paced, unflinching novel that follows a gang leader's journey toward repentance and his struggle with the "old man". Violence meets grace in a Desert Fathers-inspired story rooted in the teachings of Saint Anthony the Great, Saint Macarius, Evagrius, John Cassian, and Saint Theophan the Recluse.

This novel is for you if you The lives of the Saints and Desert FathersHonest, unsanitized stories of repentanceCharacter-driven fiction with real spiritual depth
What readers are

"A remarkable modern rendition… Elgamal conveys both the scandal and the beauty of the life of St. Moses the Strong."
— Fr. Anthony Mourad, St. George & St. Anthony Coptic Orthodox Church

"In imaginative, un-sanitized prose, Elgamal has captured the spirit of one of the greatest stories of repentance in the orthodox tradition… This novelization is a true gift."
— Sherry Shenoda, author of Mummy Eaters and The Lightkeeper

253 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 26, 2026

Reviews

[Mariam Y · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible. Just wow. Made me fall in love with St Moses even more. Just brings alive his whole story of redemption and struggle. May the God of St Moses the strong have mercy on us all 🙏🏽 Beautiful. Beautiful. Beautiful. I couldn’t put it down.

[Sandra Mattar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this!

This is such a beautiful book that brings repentance to life. Thank you so much for this treasure. Please keep writing!

[Phoebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew I would love this book but did not realize how much I would love it until I read it. Michael does an AMAZING job transporting the story of St. Moses the Black and his Desert Father compatriots into a modern setting, while managing to weave in their famous sayings seamlessly into the narrative. They are so seamless that you would only notice it is a saying if you have read them before in the Sayings of the Desert Fathers. Michael got me to fall in love with these saints all over again, and even to see some of my not-so-favorite Desert Fathers in a whole new light, endearing me fathers I wasn't a big fan of before. Of course we all love St. Moses the Black, and this re-writing will only make us love him more. And even though I know the ending, Michael still managed to make me cry. I recorded a video review of this book here: https://phoebefaragmikhail.substack.c... (sign up for my newsletter to find out about a book club event with Michael about this book in May 2026!)

[Mariam Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written. I can’t wait to see more novels like this from this author. So many times while reading I got goosebumps. I loved the end bit by the author too as I love reading about their process and how they came up with the ideas. Thank you for a lovely book.

[Sylvia Sidky · Rating 5 out of 5]

So. Awesome.

Couldn’t put it down and was truly sorry to see it end. Full of truth and beauty. May we learn from St. Moses!

[Demarian Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Because if Abba Moses can go from gang leader and murderer to one of the Church's greatest saints, then maybe I, too, can become a bit better than I was yesterday. Maybe all it takes is a small yearning, and a great deal of grace."

From the afterword

[Paul Schellbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

wisdom

Excellent read which kept me riveted. I would recommend this to all in need of Holy Wisdom. The author is blessed.