The Diocese of Derbe is an ancient bishopric located at Derbe in the Roman province of Galatia in Asia Minor, and in the ethnic region of Lycaonia. It flourished through the Roman and Byzantine empires, being dissolved on the invasion of the Seljuks at the Battle of Manzikert in 1071. The diocese was nominally refounded as a titular see of the Roman Catholic Church in the 17th century, although the area had never actually been catholic in profession.
History Christianity came to Derbe very early. The apostles Paul and Barnabas came to Derbe after escaping a disturbance and attempted stoning in Iconium, about 60 miles away,Bastian Van Elderen, Some Archaeological Observations on Paul’s First Missionary Journey, 157-159 . and successfully evangelized there.Acts 14:6-21 Paul made many converts at DerbeActs 20:6. including future church leadersActs 20:4. Paul and Barnabas returned there after being stoned again in Lystra.Acts 14:20 On these experiences, Paul commented, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."Acts 14:22 He and Silas later visited Derbe again.Acts 16:1
Ancient Bishopric Derbe became a suffragan see of Iconium but is not mentioned by later Notitiae Episcopatuum. Only four bishops are known, from 381 to 672. we know but four bishops, from 381 to 672.Le Quien, Oriens Christ., I, 1081. Daphnus, attendee at the Council of Constantinople (381).Michel Le Quien, Oriens christianus (ex Typographia Regia, 1740). p1082. Thomas, attendee at the Council of EphesusMichel Le Quien, Oriens christianus (ex Typographia Regia, 1740). p1081. Paulus, attendee at the Council of Chalcedon.Richard Price, Michael Gaddis, The Acts of the Council of Chalcedon, Volume 1 (Liverpool University Press, 2005) p143. CyricusMichel Le Quien, Oriens christianus (ex Typographia Regia, 1740). p1081.
Titular see Today, Derbe is included in the Catholic Church's list of titular sees.Annuario Pontificio 2013 (Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2013, ), p. 880 The Roman Catholic Church holds the bishopric of Derbe to be a titular see in the province of Lycaonia. Although Titular bishops have been appointed since the 17th century the see is currently empty. Onofrio Costantini, ( 1665 Appointed – 20 Mar 1717) Stephan von Clodh (Cloth), (20 Jan 1727 – 5 Sep 1727) Franz Egon von Fürstenberg, (24 Jul 1786 – 6 Jan 1789) Franz von Raigesfeld, (1 Jun 1795 Appointed – 16 Jul 1800) Karl Kajetan von Gaisruck (Gaysruck) (20 Jul 1801 Appointed – 16 Mar 1818) Michael Angelo Buono (27 Sep 1819 – ) Anastasius Hartmann, (30 Sep 1845 Appointed – 1 May 1866) Giovanni Cirino (22 Nov 1869 Appointed – 8 Nov 1884 Appointed, Titular Archbishop of Ancyra) Vicente Alda y Sancho (7 Jun 1886 Appointed – 1 Jun 1888) Pietro Podaliri (23 Jun 1890 Appointed – 10 Nov 1910) Angelo Bartolomasi (24 Nov 1910 – 15 Dec 1919) Maximino Ruiz y Flores (8 Mar 1920 – 11 May 1949) João de Souza Lima, (14 May 1949 – 6 Feb 1955) Raymond Peter Hillinger † (27 Jun 1956 – 13 Nov 1971)
References