s. frumentius

the church in ethiopia is very ancient, and has remained true to the faith as she understands she has received it for at least 1600 years--longer if the ethiopian eunuch who was baptized by philipp is counted.  but the official religion of the country has been christianity since s. frumentius was tutor to the king aeizanas and baptized him.  it has been a difficult position for the ethiopian church, caught as shirley hughson describes it, between islam and paganism.

one of the really unfortunate results of western colonialism is that the church is probably under more pressure now than it has ever been, largely as a result of european (and now chinese) efforts to control the oil and other resources of the region.   this is a good day to consider how our actions, which are seldom so gentle as the fluttering of a butterfly's wings, have effects all around the world.