Professor Tina Beattie - 22/09/2026

I’m fascinated by the lives of the saints. Their stories and legends have, over two millennia,

exemplified the diverse cultures, lifestyles and characteristics that make up the Christian

faith.

Today is St Maurice’s feast day. In 961 AD, the Holy Roman Emperor Otto I named third

century Egyptian martyr St Maurice as the Protector of Magdeburg. A thirteenth century

statue of the saint in Magdeburg Cathedral shows him as a Black African knight. It’s one of

the earliest realistic representations of a Black African in medieval European art.

Magdeburg is the capital city of Saxony-Anhalt in Germany, and many took to the city’s

streets to celebrate the Far Right AfD party’s recent election victory. One of the AfD’s best

known policies is anti-immigration and ‘Germany first’. The elections in

Germany are sending shockwaves through Europe, as the AfD party has now won two

regional elections – in Saxony-Anhalt and in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

The Church in Germany has responded to the rise of the AfD. Last year

Bishop Gerhard Freige of Magdeburg has criticised the AfD’s use of Christian rhetoric about

abortion in an attempt to present itself under “a Christian guise”. The AfD isn’t the only party

to associate itself with Christianity over the years.

St Maurice points to a more diverse history of migration. He is a reminder that Christian

Europe has always been richly diverse with many different ethnic and cultural identities.

Maurice's biography shows a steadfast refusal to disobey orders to attack fellow Christians. He was eventually killed alongside his men commanders for his continual refusal.

He died opposing the tyranny of earthly rulers.

What does that story of being steadfast, uncompromising and true give listeners to think about in contemporary society?

Every generation interprets the lives of the saints through its own cultural lenses.

It’s hard to argue that the Black African statue of St Maurice in Magdeburg Cathedral can be appropriated

to serve the idea of the Christian West as essentially white. This ancient Egyptian martyr

stands as a rebuke to the politics of racism and nationalism, and a reminder that Christian

Europe has always been richly diverse with many different ethnic and cultural identities. Today, mainstream churches stand side by side with other faith communities to promote dialogue and peace.

What’s the religious message for the end….

So in my prayers this morning, I added, St Maurice, Protector of Magdeburg, pray for us.