Andrew, Archbishop of Rhodes (Chrysoberga)

ANDREA, archbishop of RHODES (CRISOBERGA). — A Dominican, born in Constantinople into a schismatic family, he converted to Catholicism and entered the Order of Preachers at the convent of Pera. He worked strenuously for the union of the Greeks with the Church of Rome, and for this purpose took part in the Councils of Constance, Basel, and Ferrara-Florence. Invested with considerable dignities, Master of the Sacred Palace (1425–32) and vicar general of the Society of the Pilgrim Brothers, he was entrusted with difficult legations within the Order (before and after the Councils) and also in Italy, to Martin V and at the Council of Basel. First proposed for the see of Sutri (1429), which, however, he never reached, Eugene IV appointed him to the archbishopric of Colossi in Rhodes, whence came his better-known name among the Latins, Colossensis or Rhodiensis. He affixed his signature to the Florentine decree of Union (6 July 1439), but his activity took place chiefly during the sessions at Ferrara, where he delivered the opening address and brilliantly defended the Catholic-Roman position against Bessarion (still a schismatic) and Mark of Ephesus on the question of the « Filioque ». In addition to his conciliar works (also as a preacher at Constance and Basel), two writings by him remain: one, recently published, on the divine essence and operation, addressed to Bessarion (ed. Candal), and another, polemical, against Mark Eugenicus of Ephesus (Vatican Library, cod. Pal. lat. 604). The dates of this figure’s long career are very difficult to establish with precision.

Emanuele Candal