Giovanni Andrea Tria

Giovanni Andrea Tria (22 July 1676 – 16 January 1761) was an Italian bishop, diplomat, and historian. He was born in Laterza, Apulia, to Francesco Tria and Margherita Geminale. He pursued his education in Philosophy, Theology, and Civil and Ecclesiastical Law in Naples and Rome. In 1704, he served as an "auditor" of ecclesiastical law at the Benedictine Monastery of Cava, continuing his service even after moving to Rome. On 26 August 1709, he was appointed Vicar General to Monsignor Lorenzo Gherardi, the Bishop of Loreto e Recanati, a position he held until 1714. Subsequently, he worked with Monsignor Giuseppe Firrao, the "Nunzio Straordinario" to the Court of Portugal. Tria accompanied Firrao to Lucerne when Firrao was reassigned due to health issues. During his time in Switzerland, Tria undertook significant diplomatic missions in Sweden and Germany. He was later elected Bishop of Cariati and Gerenza, taking office on 17 March 1720, and presided over a Synod from 16 to 18 March 1726. In 1727, he was transferred to the diocese of Larino in Molise. He attended a provincial council in Benevento from 1 to 12 May 1729. In 1740, he was appointed a "consultant of the Holy Office" and in December of the same year, he became Archbishop of Tyre. He also served as the "Examiner of Bishops" and was awarded the insignia of the Cavalier of the Order of Saint Jacob for his dedicated service to the Court of Lisbon. Tria died of apoplexy in Rome and was interred at the church of Trinita della Missione in Montecitorio. His scholarly works include "The Memorable Stories, Civil and Ecclesiastical of the City and Diocese of Larino" (1744), "Notes of the accommodation between the Papacy and the Royal Court of Naples" (1743), and "Life of Pope Benedetto XIII". His most significant work is the history of Larino, detailing its early history, and various invasions. His writings remain an important resource for the history of Molise.