A Foreigner Converted to Christianity

In the Book of Acts we read the story of St. Philip (one of the seven deacons appointed by the Apostles) who went to the city of Samaria and preached there with great success (Acts 8:4-8).  [Samaritans were not Orthodox Jews and were looked upon with suspicion and distrust by the Jewish teachers.]

Obeying a revelation, Philip started on the road leading to the city of Gaza.  On his way he met an Ethiopian, a courtier and treasurer of the Queen of Ethiopia (a country in the northeast of Africa).  The Ethiopian was traveling in a chariot on his way back from Jerusalem.  He was one of those foreigners who had been converted to the religion of the Old Testament, with its deep faith in One God and its high moral teachings.  At the moment the Ethiopian encountered Philip he was reading a passage in the Prophets describing the suffering of Christ.  Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Philip approached him and asked whether he understood what he was reading.  “How can I,” said the Ethiopian, “except some man should guide me?”  And he asked Philip to travel with him.

Philip then explained to him the Old Testament promise of the Savior, and the fulfillment of that promise in Jesus Christ.  His words impressed the Ethiopian so deeply than on reaching the first stream of water he asked to be baptized.  As he was being baptized by Philip, the grace of the Holy Spirit came down upon him (Acts 8:26-39).  There is no further mention of the Ethiopian courtier in the Book of Acts, but we can well imagine that he must have become the earliest missionary in his country.

[The ancient Christian Church of Ethiopia exists to the present day, blending in its life Christian doctrine and sacraments with colorful African traditions and customs.]

* from The Orthodox Christian Church Through the Ages (Chapter 7: The Christian Church in the First Century)
by Sophie Koulomzin