Saint of the Day: St. Frumentius, Bishop and Patron of Ethiopia

Called “Abuna” or “the fa­ther” of Ethiopia, he was sent there by St. Athanasius. St. Frumentius was born in Lebanon. While on a voyage in the Red Sea with St. Aedesius, his brother, he ended up in the East African country due to a shipwreck. Both he and Aedeius survived.

They were taken to the king at Axum, and became members of the court. When the king died, the two brothers stayed on as part of the queen's court. She permitted them to introduce Christianity to the country, and open trade between Ethiopia and the west.

Frumentius convinced St. Athanasius to send missionaries from Alexandria, and was himself consecrated as the bishop of Ethiopia. He converted many people to Christianity before his death in 380. He is the patron of Ethiopia. His brother, Aedius, was also canonized.
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