Germanicopolis (Bithynia)

Germanicopolis (Greek: Γερμανικόπολις) was an ancient town in Bithynia, also known as Caesarea in Bythinia (not to be confused with Caesarea Germanica, as such a former bishopric and present Latin Catholic titular see.

Germanicopolis
Ancient Greek: Γερμανικόπολις
Shown within Turkey
LocationTurkey
RegionBursa Province
Coordinates40°10′N 28°53′E

History

It was located on the Gelbes river,[1] not far from Prusa (modern Bursa in Turkey). In earlier times it was called Helge, Helgas or Booscoete (Βοὸς κοίτη), Plin. v. 40. Modern scholars locate the town at the village of Tahtalı

The city was taken by the Ottoman Empire in 1326 and the new Ottoman capital city was built at nearby Bursa (the Ancient Prusa).

Ecclesiastical history

In Byzantine times the town was the see of a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Nicomedia, in the sway of the Patriarchate of Constantinople.

The names of a number of bishops are historically documented:[2]

Titular see

The diocese was nominally restored in 1933 as Latin Titular bishopric of Cesarea in Bithynia (Latin) / Cesarea di Bitinia (Curiate Italian) / Cæsarien(sis) in Bithynia (Latin adjective).

It is vacant since decades, having had the following incumbents, so far of the fitting Episcopal (lowest) rank :

  • Anthony Jeremiah Pesce, Passionist (C.P.) (born Italy) (1951.05.10 – 1953.03.25) as last Apostolic Vicar of Dodoma (Tanzania) (1951.05.10 – 1953.03.25); next (see) promoted first Bishop of Dodoma (Tanzania) (1953.03.25 – death 1971.12.20)
  • Giovanni Sismondo (1954.09.30 – 1955.02.21) (Italian), on emeritate : previously Bishop of Pontremoli (Italy) (1930.02.06 – 1954.09.30); later (promoted) Titular Archbishop of Marcianopolis (1955.02.21 – death 1957.12.07)
  • Secondo Chiocca (1955.04.15 – death 1982.01.05) first as Auxiliary Bishop of Archdiocese of Genova (Genua, Italy) (1955.04.15 – retired 1981.05.09), then as emeritate; previously Bishop of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Foligno (Italy) (1947.01.18 – resigned 1955.04.15).

References
  1. William Hazlitt, The Classical Gazetteer: A Dictionary of Ancient Geography, Sacred and Profane, p. 161
  2. Le Quien, Michel (1740). "Ecclesia Cæsareæ". Oriens Christianus, in quatuor Patriarchatus digestus: quo exhibentur ecclesiæ, patriarchæ, cæterique præsules totius Orientis. Tomus primus: tres magnas complectens diœceses Ponti, Asiæ & Thraciæ, Patriarchatui Constantinopolitano subjectas (in Latin). Paris: Ex Typographia Regia. cols. 627–628. OCLC 955922585.
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