ELIAS, of Cortona (c. 118o-1253), disciple of St. Francis of Assisi, was born of the working class, near Assisi. In 1217 he was the head of the Franciscan mission to the Holy Land, and in 1219 St. Francis made him first provincial minister of Syria. When St. Francis was recalled from the East in 1220 he brought Elias with him. Elias played a leading part in the early history of the Franciscans; Francis made him his vicar general in 1221; he was the practical acting superior of the order till Francis' death in 1226, and the actual superior till the general chapter of 1227. In 1232 he was elected minister general, but at the chapter of 1239 he was deposed. During these years he erected the basilica and monastery at Assisi. After his deposition Elias joined the party of Frederick II. and so incurred excommunication. Frederick sent him as ambassador to Constantinople. A small number of friars adhered to him and for these he built a church and monastery at Cortona. On his death-bed he made his sub mission to the pope. (See FRANCIS OF ASSISI, SAINT.) See E. Lempp, Frere Elie de Cortone (i 9oi) , who points out the conflict between the Speculum per f ectionis and the First Life, by Thomas of Celano, as to the relations between Elias and Francis. See also P. Sabatier, Examen de la vie de Frere Elie du Speculum Vitae