Vangelo literally means Gospel[1] and a member is called a vangelista (plural: vangelisti).
[3] The vangelisti are “superior personalities who know the rights and obligations of the honoured society with decision-making duties at the highest level,” according to the pentito Francesco Fonti.
[3][4] The referential religious figures are all the Apostles and Saint Peter and Saint Paul, while the historical figures are Giuseppe Mazzini as the founder and promoter of secret societies in general, and Count Camillo Benso di Cavour representing the mind of a statesman.
Finally, the current highest rank of associazione (society) was established – reserved for the supreme bosses of the 'Ndrangheta.
[2] Important vangelista were Giuseppe Muià from Siderno, Domenico Martino, Sebastiano Romeo, Antonio Pelle and members from the Nirta family from San Luca.