Bringing Light to Ethiopia

St. Frumentius’ greatest moment came when King Ezana chose Christ, and Frumentius helped make it official. In the 340s, Ezana had grown under Frumentius’ care, learning Christ’s teachings and seeing his faith. After Frumentius returned from Alexandria as a bishop, blessed by St. Athanasius, he found Ezana ready to lead Ethiopia into a new era. Frumentius baptized him in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and many rejoiced as Ethiopia began to embrace Christ.

This wasn’t just a baptism—it changed Aksum forever. Frumentius had been building simple churches and teaching Christ’s love. When Ezana was baptized, he declared Christianity the kingdom’s faith, and coins began showing crosses instead of old symbols. For Ethiopian children, this is when their land embraced Christ; for Coptic children, it’s a victory for their missionary hero tied to Alexandria.

It took courage to baptize a king—some resisted the new faith—but Frumentius trusted God. Ezana’s faith grew strong, and together they spread churches across the land. Frumentius prayed for God’s blessing on Ethiopia, and his hands, once a slave’s, now blessed a king. His work shows how God lifts the humble to shine Christ’s light, making him a saint we love today.