Because of the Muslim conquest of Sicily, John was forced to abandon the town, which was conquered by the Saracens in 859 despite its strength as a military stronghold.

After managing to regain his freedom, Elias decided to preach the Gospel, several times risking his own life, and arrived in Palestine, where he received the monastic habit from the Patriarch of Jerusalem.

After three years in a monastery of Sinai, Brother Elias undertook an adventurous series of travels, going first to Alexandria in Egypt, and then Persia, Antioch and again to Africa.

The adventures, the wonders and the evangelization that Elias had undertaken on three continents extended his fame to Constantinople, where the Byzantine Emperor Leo VI the Wise invited him to visit.

His most faithful friend and companion, the monk Daniel, buried him in the monastery of Monte Aulinas, at Palmi, founded by the saint.