Saint of the Day for Friday

 

St. Frumentius of Ethiopia

Archbishop of Abyssinia, Ethiopia. 383 A.D. (Note: Frumentius, known as Abuna, DID NOT BECOME THE FIRST TO EVANGELIZE THEIOPIA/CUSH/NUBIA. That was done by the Ethiopian Eunuch (Chrysanthius Eunuchus) of the Kandake, Queen Candace. See Acts.)
Also Apostle Matthew was among the first to preach Christ in Ethiopia. Frumentius and his helpers reinforced Christianity, already laid by Our Lord and Our Lord's apostle(s), some 350, plus years prior to Abuna Frumentius).
   Although I was born in at Tyre (modern Sur, Lebanon), I am called an Apostle to Ethiopia; Abuna of Ethiopia; Father of Ethiopia. I studied under Meropius, the philosopher. Aedeius was my brother.
A Red Sea ship cruise resulted in the vessel wrecking on the Abyssinian/Ethiopic shoreline. My brother and myself survived. Soldiers captured us, delivering us to king of capital city of Aksum (which had formerly been ruled by Queens, called Kandake).
After a time. We were invited to join the court administration. I became a government minister, like a modern secretary.
When the king died, we joined the  succeeding Queen's court. She allowed us to evangelize Christianity, which had been previously brought by Eunuch, St. Phillip, Matthew, and Nathaniel.
I petitioned another African Archbishop Athanasius at Alexandria for additional help. He consecrated me bishop at Ethiopia. Through our
efforts(with brother Aedesius) converts included princes Ezana and Sheazana.
I died in peacefully, around 380 A.D. (Western Liturgical Church), 27 Oct. and 30 Nov.