Elias of Cortona

Elias of Cortona ( – April 22, 1253) was a close associate of Saint Francis of Assisi and one of the earliest followers to join the newly founded Order of Friars Minor. A lay brother, he rose to positions of significant leadership within the order, serving as both vicar general and minister general. Saint Francis himself appointed Elias vicar general in 1221.

Biography Early life Elias's family background is documented by Salimbene di Adam, a contemporary associate. His family name was possibly Bonusbaro or Bonibarone, with his father originating from near Bologna and his mother from Assisi. Prior to joining the Franciscan Order, Elias assisted in his family's confectionery and mattress business and taught children in Assisi to read the Psalter. According to Thomas of Eccleston, Elias later worked as a scriptor or notary in Bologna, likely pursuing additional education.

Elias appears to have been among the earliest companions of Saint Francis of Assisi. The exact time and place of his joining the order remain uncertain, though Luke Wadding, a Franciscan historian, proposes Cortona in 1211. It is clear, however, that Elias held a prominent position among the friars from the outset.

Following a brief stay in Tuscany, Elias was appointed head of a missionary group sent to the Near East in 1217. Two years later, he became the first provincial minister of the then-extensive Syrian province. In this capacity, he received Caesarius of Speyer into the order. While the specifics of Elias's work in the East remain unclear, the three years he spent there appear to have had a significant impact on him.

Elias remained a lay brother throughout his life, never taking priestly vows. He instead served as a skilled organizer within the Franciscan Order.

Vicar general After returning from Acre in 1220, Francis brought Elias back with him. Francis had previously appointed Peter Catani as vicar general to manage the order's day-to-day administration. When Peter died on March 10, 1221, demonstrating his trust in Elias, Francis named him vicar-general. Elias held this office for five years until Francis' death on October 3, 1226. He then oversaw the temporary burial of the saint at the Church of San Giorgio in Assisi, an ancient church later incorporated into and replaced by the Basilica di Santa Chiara.

Pope Gregory IX, a great patron of the Franciscans and their official protector as Cardinal Ugolino, entrusted Brother Elias with the task of building a magnificent church to house the body of Saint Francis. Elias immediately began planning a grand basilica in Assisi to enshrine the remains of the poverello.

In 1238, Pope Gregory IX sent Elias of Cortona as an ambassador to the excommunicated Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II. Elias apparently became a supporter of the Emperor as a result of this mission.

A General Chapter of the Franciscan Order was held in Rome in 1239, where Elias was deposed from the office of Minister General. Friar Thomas of Eccleston's account of the Chapter suggests that Friar Haymo of Faversham was a leading figure in opposing Elias.

Following Elias's deposition, Albert of Pisa, the Minister Provincial of England, was elected Minister General. Elias traveled to Cortona without permission, visiting a house of Poor Clares. Though Albert was willing to absolve him, Elias instead went to the Ghibelline city of Arezzo. This prompted Pope Gregory IX to excommunicate him.

Albert died during his first year as Minister General. Haymo was then elected to the office in 1240.

In 1240, Elias definitively sided with the Emperor in his conflict with the papacy. He joined the Emperor's army, even riding a richly decorated warhorse at the sieges of Faenza and Ravenna. Consequently, Pope Gregory IX excommunicated Elias again and expelled him from the Franciscan Order.

Shortly before his death, Elias was reconciled with both the Holy See and the Franciscan Order, with Saint Clare playing a mediating role.

Appraisal Elias remains a debated figure within the Franciscan community. While a 2016 book reflects a critical view of his role, his reputation underwent reassessment during the 18th and early 20th centuries, particularly within the Conventual Franciscan movement. In 1923, Cardinal Pietro Gasparri advocated for a balanced historical evaluation of Elias, emphasizing the importance of recognizing both his achievements and his flaws.