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.
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).
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
^William Hazlitt, The Classical Gazetteer: A Dictionary of Ancient Geography, Sacred and Profane, p. 161