CALECA, MANUELE

CALECA, MANUELE. - Grammarian and theologian of Constantinople, 14th–15th century. Opposed to Palamism, he abandoned the literary teaching to which he had devoted himself and became a Catholic under the influence, perhaps, of Demetrio Cidone, whose disciple he became. He suffered greatly for his faith. He formed friendships with Manuele Crisolora and Massimo Crisoberga, Greek Catholics and disciples of Cidone. He studied Latin and scholastic theology. After a journey to Venice and Milan (1401–1402), he returned to Greece and took the Dominican habit at Mitilene, where he died in 1410. He left unpublished grammatical writings, sermons, an extensive collection of letters, and theological works (only partly published). His books and papers, including books and papers of Demetrio Cidone, redeemed by Teodoro and inherited by Andrea, both brothers of Massimo Crisoberga, became part of the Vatican Library together with those of the latter.