Archbishopric of Justiniana Prima was a Christian autonomous Archbishopric with see in the city of Justiniana Prima and jurisdiction over the Late Roman Diocese of Dacia in central parts of the Southeastern Europe.

History The archdiocese was established in 535 AD by Emperor Justinian I, in his presumed home-town of Justiniana Prima (near present-day Lebane, in Southern Serbia).

The establishment is mentioned in Justinian's own Novel XI from 535, when he promotes the metropolitan to an archbishop, independent from the Archbishop of Thessalonica.OCC, page 100, excerpts from his novella The very first archbishop of Justiniana Prima was Amincius, later martyred in a raid by Cumans.

Its last mention is in 602, amid the Slav raids on the Balkans.

Administration Its cathedral archiepiscopal see was at Justiniana Prima. According to Novella 11, issued in 535, the first Archbishop received canonical jurisdiction over the following Byzantine provinces, mainly on the territory of the Diocese of Dacia:DMMS, page 216 Dacia Mediterranea Dacia Ripensis Moesia Prima Dardania Praevalitana Macedonia Secunda Part of Pannonia Secunda

But by 545, in the Novella 131, Macedonia Secunda was omitted.

Dioceses Bishopric of Niš, seat at Naissopolis (Niš, Serbia)

Archbishops Catelianus (Catellian), metropolitan becoming first archbishop in 535 AD Benenatus c.553 Johannes, fl. 595

Successor titles Eastern Orthodox The Archbishopric of Ohrid was seen as a successor of the old archbishopric. Archbishop John IV, nephew of emperor Alexios I Komnenos, resurrected the title of Archbishop of Justiniana Prima in 1143 for his own use.OCC, page 101: " John Comnenus.. resurrected himself the title of Archbishopric of J-P "

Roman Catholic titular see It is one of the titular sees listed in the Annuario Pontificio.Annuario Pontificio 2013 (Libreria Editrice Vaticana 2013 ), p. 904

It has had the following incumbents, all of the archiepiscopal (intermediary) rank: Giovanni Panico (1935.10.17 – 1962.03.19) (later Cardinal) Aurelio Sabattani (1965.06.24 – 1983.02.02) (later Cardinal) Édouard Gagnon, Sulpicians (P.S.S.) (1983.07.07 – 1985.05.25), (later Cardinal Jean-Claude Périsset (1998.11.12 – ...), Apostolic Nuncio (papal ambassador) emeritus to Germany

See also Archbishopric of Ohrid

References

Sources

Arthur Ewans, Ancient Illyria: An Archaeological Exploration The challenge of our past: studies in Orthodox Canon law and Church history Carolyn S. Snively, "Dacia Mediterranea and Macedonia Secunda in the 6th century"

External links GigaCatholic - Catholic (titular) see