ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN AUGUST Saints celebrated on the 26th of August WELCOME! SAINT ELIAS, BISHOP OF SYRACUSE Saint Elias [Elijah] started off as a deacon at the church in Syracuse (Sicily). When Bishop Peter died, a successor was needed. Elias sided with the greater part of the clergy and people, who wanted to see Zosimus, abbot of the monastery of St Lucien, as head of the episcopal see of Syracuse. Zosimus had a reputation for holiness, unlike the other candidate, Venerius by name. Deacon Elias tearfully implored the abbot Zosimus to take up the shepherd's crook. Zosimus gave in and was subsequently consecrated Bishop of the Church of Syracuse by Pope Theodore I. After his death, the deacon Elias was honoured by Pope Vitalian to be appointed as Zosimus' successor. Bishop Elias went to his eternal reward around the year 664. (Information from Stadler 's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 2, Augsburg, 1861, p. 33) Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia o...