OCTOBER 27 – ST. FRUMENTIUS, BISHOP.
ST. FRUMENTIUS was yet a child when his uncle, Meropius of Tyre, took him and his brother Edesius on a voyage to Ethiopia. In the course of their voyage the vessel touched at a certain port, and the barbarians of that country put the crew and all the passengers to the sword, except the two children. They were carried to the king, at Axuma, who, charmed with the wit and sprightliness of the two boys, took special care of their education; and, not long after, made Edesius his cup-bearer, and Frumentius, who was the elder, his treasurer and secretary of state; on his death-bed, he thanked them for their services, and, in recompense, gave them their liberty. After his death, the queen begged them to remain at court, and assist her in the government of the state until the young king came of age. Edesius went back to Tyre, but St. Athanasius ordained Frumentius bishop of the Ethiopians, and vested with this sacred character, he gained great numbers to the faith, and continued to feed and defend his flock till it pleased the Supreme Pastor to recompense his fidelity and labors.
REFLECTION: “The soul that journeys in the light and the truths of the faith is safe against all error.”
WORD OF THE DAY
SYMBOLISM. Investing outward things or actions with an inner meaning. Its effectiveness depends on the depth of personal commitment to the interior truth symbolized and the ability of a symbol to convey its inner meaning. Early Christian symbolism arose partially as a result of persecution. It was necessary to veil beliefs under emblems and figures. Another contributing factor was the instinctive religious desire to envelop the personal and collective life of the people in expressions and reminders of their faith. In time, every detail of Church art and architecture, of the liturgy and private devotion, acquired definable religious meaning. Symbolism is the universal language of every living religion. It is especially rich in Catholic Christianity because of the Church’s encouragement, but mainly because the mysteries of the faith are too profound ever to fully understand. Symbols enable the mind to dwell on these mysteries with prayerful reflection and ever greater comprehension.
Modern Catholic Dictionary, Fr. John Hardon SJ (Get the real one at Eternal Life — don’t accept an abridged or edited version of this masterpiece!)
This article, OCTOBER 27 – ST. FRUMENTIUS, BISHOP. is a post from The Bellarmine Forum.
https://bellarmineforum.org/october-27-st-frumentius-bishop/
Do not repost the entire article without written permission. Reasonable excerpts may be reposted so long as it is linked to this page.
