Saint Elias Iorest was Metropolitan of Transylvania between 1640 and 1643. He was born in Transylvania and at baptism received the name of Elias. In his childhood, he was sent to Putna in order to learn writing and reading, and there he later became a monk, receiving the name of Iorest.
His ordination as hierarch took place in November 1640, at the recommendation of Basil Lupu, ruler of Moldavia.
Confessors of Orthodoxy and good archpastors of Christ’s Church, teachers of the people, most-blessed and victory-bearing hierarchs, Saints Iorest and Sabbas, who were worthy of the crown of life, pray to the Lord to save our souls.
Icon of Holy Hierarch Elias Iorest painted by the monks of the Putna Monastery.
In Transylvania, Prince Rakoczy required him to teach the Calvin catechism to the Orthodox population. Because he declined to estrange his faithful from Orthodoxy, he was removed from the Metropolitan throne and put in jail.
He managed, however, to be liberated from prison in exchange for 1000 talers.
Metropolitan Iorest spent the rest of his life at Putna Monastery, where he had become a monk. On a page from a Menaion is noted the day of his repose in the Lord: “To be known when Bishop Iorest reposed in the Lord: year 1678, March 12.”
According to tradition, the grave of the Metropolitan is situated outside the wall of the church, near the holy altar. He is commemorated on April 24, together with Saint Sabbas Branković, who was also Metropolitan of Transylvania.
