Saint of the day October 27, 2024

St. Frumentius was the first Bishop of Axum, and he is credited with bringing Christianity to the Aksumite Kingdom, which was a major trading area for Northern Africa. It is northern Ethiopia today. He was a Greek that was born in Tyre.

Frumentius had a brother Edesius, and they accompanied their uncle Meropius on a voyage to Ethiopia. When their ship stopped at one of the harbors of the Red Sea, the whole crew was massacred, with the exception of St. Frumentius and his brother. They were taken as slaves to the King of Axum, where they gained the favor of the King. He raised them to positions of trust, and shortly before his death he gave them both liberty.

The widowed Queen however had them remain with her, to assist her in the education of her young heir, Ezana. They stayed and used their influence to spread Christianity. First, they encouraged the Christian merchants present in the country, to practice their faith openly. They even went on to convert some of the natives. When Ezana came to age, Edesius returned to Tyre where he stayed and was ordained a Priest. Frumentius however, was eager for the conversion of Ethiopia. He accompanied his brother as far as Alexandria, where he requested to have a Bishop and some Priests sent to Ethiopia.

It was determined that Frumentius would be the most suitable person for the job, so he was consecrated Bishop. Ten years after his return, Christianity was named the official state religion of the kingdom. Even the royal household was baptized—they are still honored as saints in the Ethiopian Church. Frumentius was known as “our father” and “father of peace.” The people of Ethiopia called St. Frumentius the “Revealer of Light” or “Father of Peace”. St. Frumentius died in 383.

St. Matthew is said to have first evangelized Ethiopia, but Frumentius is known as the apostle to that nation because of his effectiveness in converting people to the faith. It is said that the early diocese of Louisiana observed the feast of St. Frumentius in the 1700s, possibly as an acknowledgment of the Africans enslaved there.

Reflection

In nearly every age since the time of Christ, some new nations have been added to the fold of Christ; and the apostasy of those that have forsaken the path of Truth has been repaired by fresh acquisitions. This is the work of the Most High; the wonderful effect of all-powerful grace. It is owing to the Divine blessing that the heavenly seed fructifies in the hearts of men, and it is God Who raises up and animates with His Spirit zealous successors of the Apostles, whom He vouchsafes to make His instruments in this great work. We are indebted to His gratuitous mercy for the inestimable benefit of this light of Faith.

The example of St. Frumentius and the Ethiopian Church shows us that Christianity cannot simply be thought of as a religion of Europeans and Americans, but a church for all humanity.