UNESCO Ancient Civilizations of Africa (Editor G. Mokhtar)

Ancient Civilizations of Africa
age of majority, and allowing for the departure and return of Frumentius,
the baptism of King Ezana must therefore have occurred between +350
and +360. 8
Lacking authentic documents, contemporary authors simply state
cautiously that Christianity was introduced into Ethiopia in the fourth
century.
In fact an inscription in Greek characters, discovered at Philae,
mentions the visit in 360 of an Aksumite viceroy, a Christian named
Abratoeis, to the Roman emperor, who received him with all the honours
due to his rank. 9 This emperor must have been Constans II (+341-68),
the son of Constantine the Great. Although a Christian, he had adopted the
doctrine of Arius, who denied the unity and the consubstantiality of the
three persons of the Holy Trinity and consequently the perfect equality
of Jesus Christ with the Father. The Council of Nicaea, held in + 325
and presided over by the father of Constantine II, had condemned this
doctrine.
An implacable enemy of Arius was precisely Athanasius, who had consecrated
Frumentius bishop of Aksum. This patriarch was himself later
ousted on the orders of the semi-apostate emperor, who nominated a certain
George, very favourable to Arianism, to replace him.
The news of the arrival in Aksum of Frumentius, a fervent supporter
of the Patriarch Athanasius, who had consecrated him, was not likely to
please the emperor of Constantinople. He immediately dispatched a letter
to King Aizanz (Ezana) and to his brother Saizana, generously calling them
his 'greatly honoured brothers'. In a friendly manner, he requested them
to send back Frumentius to the new patriarch, George, in Alexandria, so
that his case could be examined by the latter and his colleagues, who alone
had the power to decide whether or not Frumentius was worthy to head
the bishopric of Aksum.
Unfortunately, we do not possess the document that might have revealed
the reaction of the two brothers on receipt of this letter. Although the
national interest forced them to maintain friendly relations with the powerful
emperor of Constantinople, it would seem that they did not comply
with his request. All the local sources affirm that Frumentius carried out
his episcopal duties peacefully to the end of his life. The Synaxarium (a
sort of biography of saints) which described his apostolate ends: '... He
[Frumentius] arrived in the land of Ag'Azi [Ethiopia] during the reign of
Abraha and Atsbaha [Ezana and his brother Atsbaha] and preached the
peace of our Lord Jesus Christ throughout the country. That is why he
is called Abba Selama [Father of Peace]. After leading the people of
Ethiopia to the [Christian] faith, he died in the peace of god.. .' I0
8. C. Conti-Rossini, 1928, pp. 148-9.
9. Congresso Internazionale di Studi Etiopici, Accademia dei Lincei, 1974, Vol. I, p. 174.
, 10. T. T. Mekouria, 1966-7, Vol. II, pp. 203-17.
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