Changes

==Life==

Frumentius and his brother Edesius were young Phoenicians boys from Tyre in Palestine. In 316, accompanying their uncle Metropius on a trip to Abyssinia by ship, the crew was massacred in a port on the Red Sea and the boys taken as slaves to the King of Axum. In time, Frumentius and Edesius gained favor with the king and his family. Set free by the king as he died, the boys were asked by the widowed queen to help her educate her son the young prince, Erazanes, and assist in administration of the kingdom during his minority.

After they had agreed, Frumentius used their influence to spread the Christian faith in Abyssinia. Beginning by encouraging visiting Christian merchants to openly practice their faith in places of public worship, the brothers were able to bring some of the native Abyssinians to [[Jesus Christ|Christ]]. When the young prince came of age, the brothers were released from their commitment. Edesius returned to Tyre, but Frumentius stopped in Alexandria. Here he approached [[Archbishop]] [[Athanasius of Alexandria]] to send some [[clergy]] to Abyssinia. With Frumentius’ experience and enthusiasm Abp. Athanasius found Frumentius the most suitable candidate, and he [[consecration of a bishop|consecrated]] Frumentius bishop of the mission to Abyssinia. The date of his consecration may have been in 328, but others consider the date to be between 340 and 346.

[[Category: Saints]]