Elias of Cologne

Saint Elias of Cologne, a holy monk, was an Irish abbot at Cologne in Germany, who reposed in 1040 (in some sources 1042). He was a native of County Monaghan in Ireland and appears to have been a monk of the monastery of Muckno.

In 1015 he was elected abbot of the monastery of Great Saint Martin at Cologne, and in the same year he also took charge of Saint Pantaleon's, both of which he kept until his death. He was a close friend and counselor of Archbishop Heribert, whom he prepared for death in 1021. According to tradition he led a very austere life. One story, which historians regard as more legend than fact, tells that Archbishop Pilgrim, who disliked the Irish monks, vowed to expel them, but Elias prayed and the archbishop died in 1036 before returning to the city.

He is commemorated on 16 April, by the Western calendar (new style), as a saint of the undivided Church.