Songs and Stories

St. Frumentius, known as Abba Salama, began joyful celebrations in Aksum that are still vibrant today! Tradition says he encouraged celebrations to honor Christ after baptizing King Ezana in the 340s, with music and shared meals. He gathered people for worship, giving thanks to God. That joy continues on his feast day, August 2, with festivals honoring saints in Ethiopian towns like Axum, filled with drums and clapping.

These festivals are lively and joyful. In Aksum, people bring flowers to St. Mary of Zion; some say children in Addis Ababa may carry sticks symbolizing his mission. One story says a boy saw a light during a festival, as if God blessed the celebration through Abba Salama’s prayers. For Ethiopian children, it’s Abba Salama’s feast day; for Coptic children, it’s a missionary’s gift of faith. It’s a shout of thanks, honoring his prayers to God.

These celebrations show Abba Salama’s love for community. He inspired joyful worship, and we still do. Children can imagine him guiding us through his prayers, uniting the faithful like a family. Through his intercession, Abba Salama remains Ethiopia’s beloved saint, bringing Christ’s joy to life today.