Frumentius
Frumentius (Ge'ez: ፍሬምናጦስ; died c. 383) was a Phoenician Christian missionary and the first bishop of Axum who brought Christianity to the Kingdom of Aksum. He is sometimes known by other names, such as Abuna ("Our Father") and Aba Salama ("Father of Peace").
Frumentius | |
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Saint Frumentius | |
| Confessor Bishop of Axum Apostle to Ethiopia | |
| Born | 4th century Tyre, Eastern Roman Empire (modern-day Lebanon) |
| Died | c. 383 Kingdom of Aksum |
| Venerated in | Catholicism Oriental Orthodoxy Eastern Orthodoxy Anglican Communion |
| Feast |
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| Patronage | Kingdom of Aksum |
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He was ethnically a Phoenician, according to Rufinus, born in Tyre, modern day Lebanon. As a boy, he was captured with his brother on a voyage, and they became slaves to the King of Axum. He freed them shortly before his death, and they were invited to educate his young heir. They also began to teach Christianity in the region. Later, Frumentius traveled to Alexandria, Egypt, where he appealed to have a bishop appointed and missionary priests sent south to Axum. Thereafter, he was appointed bishop and established the Church in Ethiopia, converting many local people, as well as the king. His appointment began a tradition that the Patriarch of Alexandria appoint the bishops of Ethiopia.