Archdiocese of Santa Severina
Encyclopedia
The archdiocese of Santa Severina was a Roman Catholic ecclesiastical territory in Calabria
, southern Italy, that existed until 1986. In that year it was united into the diocese of Crotone, forming the Archdiocese of Crotone-Santa Severina.
, built on a rocky precipice on the site of the ancient Siberena, became an important fortress of the Byzantines
in their struggles with the Saracens. It is not known whether it was an episcopal see from the beginning of the Byzantine domination; When it became an archbishopric, probably in the tenth century, its suffragan sees were the diocese of Orea, the diocese of Acerenza, the diocese of Gallipoli, the diocese of Alessano and the diocese of Castro.
The Greek Rite disappeared from the diocese under the Normans
, but was retained in the cathedral during a great part of the thirteenth century. The earliest known bishop was one Giovanni, but his date is uncertain. From 1096, when the name of Bishop Stefano is recorded, the list of prelates is uninterrupted. Among them were:
In 1818 the territories of the suppressed diocese of Belcastro and diocese of S. Leone were united to Santa Severina. Belcastro, considered by some authorities to be the ancient Chonia, had bishops from 1122; noted was Jacopo di Giacomelli (1542), present at the Council of Trent
. Bishops of S. Leone are known from 1322 till 1571, when the diocese was united to that of Santa Severina. Other suppressions in that year, united to Santa Severina, were the diocese of Cerenzia, diocese of Isola, diocese of Strongoli, Diocese of Umbriatico. Another later holder was Carmelo Pujia
from 1905 to 1925.
The archdiocese became reduced to one suffragan see, the diocese of Caritati.
Calabria
Calabria , in antiquity known as Bruttium, is a region in southern Italy, south of Naples, located at the "toe" of the Italian Peninsula. The capital city of Calabria is Catanzaro....
, southern Italy, that existed until 1986. In that year it was united into the diocese of Crotone, forming the Archdiocese of Crotone-Santa Severina.
History
Santa SeverinaSanta Severina
Santa Severina is a town and comune in the province of Crotone, in the Calabria region of southern Italy.-Geography:The town is bordered by Belvedere di Spinello, Caccuri, Castelsilano, Rocca di Neto, Roccabernarda, San Mauro Marchesato and Scandale....
, built on a rocky precipice on the site of the ancient Siberena, became an important fortress of the Byzantines
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
in their struggles with the Saracens. It is not known whether it was an episcopal see from the beginning of the Byzantine domination; When it became an archbishopric, probably in the tenth century, its suffragan sees were the diocese of Orea, the diocese of Acerenza, the diocese of Gallipoli, the diocese of Alessano and the diocese of Castro.
The Greek Rite disappeared from the diocese under the Normans
Normans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
, but was retained in the cathedral during a great part of the thirteenth century. The earliest known bishop was one Giovanni, but his date is uncertain. From 1096, when the name of Bishop Stefano is recorded, the list of prelates is uninterrupted. Among them were:
- Ugo (1269), formerly prior of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem;
- Jacopo (1400), who died in repute of sanctity;
- Alessandro della Marra (1488), who restored the episcopal palace and the cathedral;
- Giovanni Matteo Sertori, present at the Fifth Lateran Council;
- Giulio Sertori (1535), legate to Ferrara under Charles V of Spain and Philip II;
- Giulio Antonio SantorioGiulio Antonio SantorioGiulio Antonio Santorio was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church.Santorio was born in Caserta. He served as Archbishop of Santa Severina from 1566 until his death....
(1566), later a cardinal; - Fausto Caffarello (1624);
- Gian Antonio Parravicini (1654), as parish priest of Sondrio in Valtellina zealous against heretics;
- Francesco Falabello (1660), who suffered in defense of church rights;
- Carlo Berlingeri (1678);
- Nicolo Carmini Falco (1743), editor of the history of Dio CassiusDio CassiusLucius Cassius Dio Cocceianus , known in English as Cassius Dio, Dio Cassius, or Dio was a Roman consul and a noted historian writing in Greek...
.
In 1818 the territories of the suppressed diocese of Belcastro and diocese of S. Leone were united to Santa Severina. Belcastro, considered by some authorities to be the ancient Chonia, had bishops from 1122; noted was Jacopo di Giacomelli (1542), present at the Council of Trent
Council of Trent
The Council of Trent was the 16th-century Ecumenical Council of the Roman Catholic Church. It is considered to be one of the Church's most important councils. It convened in Trent between December 13, 1545, and December 4, 1563 in twenty-five sessions for three periods...
. Bishops of S. Leone are known from 1322 till 1571, when the diocese was united to that of Santa Severina. Other suppressions in that year, united to Santa Severina, were the diocese of Cerenzia, diocese of Isola, diocese of Strongoli, Diocese of Umbriatico. Another later holder was Carmelo Pujia
Carmelo Pujia
Carmelo Pujia was an Italian bishop and archbishop.-Offices:*Bishop of Anglona-Tursi - appointed 13 July 1897, ordained bishop 16 January 1898*Archbishop of Santa Severina - appointed 30 October 1905...
from 1905 to 1925.
The archdiocese became reduced to one suffragan see, the diocese of Caritati.