St Frumentius, Archbishop of India (Ethiopia) (+c. 380)

Saint Frumentius, Archbishop of India (Ethiopia), by God’s providence was brought up at the king’s court from his childhood, and thanks to his wisdom and good sense he was the king’s closest adviser and the tutor of the heir to the throne.

To come to know the Christian teaching better, the saint went to Alexandria and visited the holy hierarch Athanasius the Great (326–373; commemorated 2 May). With the blessing of Saint Athanasius, Frumentius was ordained Bishop of Abyssinia. And so the blessed one returned to the country in his new rank. Under the influence of the holy hierarch’s preaching and miracles the king and many of his subjects were baptised. After carrying out the apostolic labour of converting the people of Abyssinia, Frumentius wisely governed the flock entrusted to him for many years, and at last, in deep old age, committed his soul to the Lord in peace around 380.