October 27th - St. Frumentius of Ethiopia B (RM)
Waldtraud
(also known as Fremonat)
Died c. 380. According to their contemporary Rufinus, two young Christian
brothers named Frumentius and Aedesius (Aedisius) were studying philosophy
in
Tyre under Meropius (or Metrodorus), who decided around the year 330 that he
would like to take a voyage along the coasts of Arabia. To the young men's
overwhelming delight, he offered to take them with him.
The journey went well, but on their homeward trip the ship docked at Adulis,
Abyssinia (Ethiopia), to take on fresh supplies. The sailors got into a
fight
with the locals, leading to the murder of Meropius and everyone on ship. The
boys escaped because they were studying their lessons under a tree a
distance
from the ship. When they were discovered, they were taken as slaves to the
court
of the king of Aksum (Axum) in Tigre.
The king was impressed by their bearing and learning and the fortunes of the
young Christians prospered. Frumentius, the elder brother, was made the
king's
chief secretary. Aedesius became his cup-bearer. They gained permission even
for
Greek merchants to open some churches in Ethiopia and to try to convert the
people. And when the king died, he gave the two men their freedom. They
remained
for a time at the request of the widowed queen to help rule the country.
Eventually the two princes, named Abreha and Asbeha, came to the throne. The
Tyrian brothers resigned their posts although their new king urged them to
stay.
Aedesius returned to Tyre where he was ordained and met Rufinus, who
incorporated their story into his Church History.
Frumentius, desiring to convert the whole of his adopted country, made his
way
to Alexandria and explained the Ethiopian situation to Saint Athanasius. He
urgently asked Athanasius to send a bishop to Aksum to consolidate all that
had
been done there for Christ. Either Athanasius or a synod unanimously chose
Frumentius for the work, ordained him bishop, and sent him back to plant the
Christian church in Ethiopia, which he did in Aksum.
"Apostolic signs accompanied his ministry, and great numbers of heathen were
won
to the faith" (Rufinus). Among those converted were Abreha and Asbeha, the
two
royal brothers, despite the attempts of the Arian Emperor Constantius to
discredit him because of his connection with Athanasius.
Whatever the exact details of the Tyrian youths' adventures, there is strong
confirmation of the presence in Ethiopia of a bishop named Frumentius,
consecrated by Saint Athanasius about the middle of the fourth century.
After his death the Abyssinians dubbed him Abuna (which means 'Our Father')
and
Aba salama (which means 'Father of peace'). Abuna is still the title of the
primate of the Church of Ethiopia (Attwater, Bentley, Delaney, Encyclopedia,
Walsh).
In art Frumentius is represented as a bishop elevating a Host, sometimes
with
Saint Athanasius, sometimes shipwrecked with his brother Saint Aedesius.
Saint
Frumentius is venerated as the first evangelizer of Ethiopia (Roeder).
From:
http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/1027.shtml
Saint Quote:
Receive Lord, all my liberty, my memory, my understanding and my whole will.
You
have given me all that I have, all that I am, and I surrender all to your
divine
will, that you dispose of me. Give me only your love and your grace. With
this I
am rich enough, and I have no more to ask.
-St. Ignatius Loyola
Bible Quote:
19 Now when it was late that same day, the first of the week, and the doors
were
shut, where the disciples were gathered together, for fear of the Jews,
Jesus
came and stood in the midst, and said to them: Peace be to you. 20 And when
he
had said this, he shewed them his hands and his side. The disciples
therefore
were glad, when they saw the Lord. (John 20:19-20)
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MARY, GUARDIAN OF THE FLOWERS
In a garden of souls stands a Lady so fair,
She caresses each petal growing weak from despair,
Breathes the strength down upon them,
Brings the waters of life,
Feeds the plants that have weakened
From the earth's constant strife.
The flowers spread out in colors profuse,
Each a bud a fair promise of heavenly use.
Tender hands take the bent stalk
Grown weak from the flight,
From the darkness of soil that has shut out the light.
Turned the blossoming petal with soft tender hands,
To face up to the Light that shines down from His land
Sprinkles stardust to cover the flowers with grace
As they grow on the path
That leads straight to the place.
Where the fairest of Flowers sits next to Her Son,
As She welcomes you all
From a mission well done!