The Latin Bishopric of Argos (
Latin: Dioecesis Argolicensis, lit. "Argolic Diocese"; also
Latin: Dioecesis Argo and
Latin: Dioecesis Argivensis — "Argo Diocese" and "Argive Diocese") is a former
Latin Churchepiscopal see in the
Argolid in southern
Greece, formed with the establishment of the Crusader States, and suffragan to the
Latin Archbishop of Corinth. For part of its history it totally supplanted the local Greek Orthodox episcopal administration (the mediaeval Metropolis of Argos and Nauplia, now called the
Metropolis of Argolis) and at other times existed in competition with it. At various times in its history it had no incumbent bishop. It was finally suppressed in 1715 and exists now as a Catholic
titular see.
Frankish rule
Under
Frankish Crusader rule, Argos was part of the
Lordship of Argos and Nauplia, and became a
Latin Churchbishopric in 1212. It lasted as a residential see until Argos was taken by the
Ottoman Empire in 1463, but would be revived under the
second Venetian rule in 1686. In the meantime, the Venetians retained Nauplia until 1540, when it was lost in the
Third Ottoman Venetian War. Until then, at least some of the nominal bishops of Argos resided at Nauplia; afterwards in Venice. The Orthodox bishop returned to Argos during this interval.
Known Latin bishops during this period were:;;[1]: 105–106 [2]: 94 [3]: 117
Nicholas of Offida,
Friars Minor (O.F.M.) (1358.12.10 – ?), previously Bishop of
Butrinto (? – 1349.06.15), Bishop of
Belcastro (1349.06.15 – 1358.12.10)
James Petri (Pigalordi)
Matthew
Nicholas of Langres
John
Conrad Flader
Secundus Nani
Francesco Pavoni (1425.05.14 – ?), previously Bishop of
Kotor (Montenegro) (1422.10.02 – 1434)
Bartholemew
Mark de Carmello
Mark Taruello
William Militis
Augustine,
abbot of the Monastery of Saint Leonard, from 1499 coadjutor with right of succession with Tryphon Gabriel
Tryphon Gabriel (14 January 1499, - ?)
Paul Zabarella (20 March 1504 - ?)
John, (7 November 1509 - ?) Dubious, it is possible that he should be listed as titular only
James Rota (10 April 1540) Suffragan to
Padua; non-resident
Gerard Busdragi (24 August 1552)
Jerome William (7 March 1563) Suffragan to Padua; present at the
Council of Trent)
Leander Garuffi (Rotelli) de Piis (15 January 1574) Was permitted by
Pope Paul IV to be coadjutor with his brother, it is disputed whether he held a doctorate
Venetian Rule
There was a Catholic church hierarchy in Argos and Nauplia at this time, which compelled the Greek Orthodox
Metropolis of Argos and Nauplia to relocate to the village of
Merbaka, further east.
? (1686- ?)
Titular see
Today, Argos is listed by the
Catholic Church as a titular see [4]: 838 since the diocese was nominally restored as a Latin Catholic
titular bishopric in the 17th century. It has been vacant for decades, having had the following incumbents, all of the fitting episcopal (lowest) rank :
[5]: 94 [6]: 98
Stanisław Udrzycki (1617.12.04 – 1621.10)
Louis du Chaine (1618.04.02 – 1623.02)
Franciszek Zajerski (1622.02.21 – 1631)
Stanisław Łoza (1634.06.12 – 1639)
Mikołaj Krasicki (1639.10.03 – 1652)
Maciej Bystram (1659.09.22 – 1677.08.05)
Bernardino della Chiesa (伊大仁),
Friars Minor (O.F.M.), Chinese
missionary (1680.03.20 – 1690.04.10)
Polikarp Antoni Augustyn Marciejewski (1819.06.04 – 1827.10.19)
Bernardo Antonio De Riso,
Benedictines (O.S.B.) (1883.08.09 – 1883.08.23)
^Gauchat, Patrice (1935).
Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi [The Catholic Hierarchy of the Middle and the More Recent Age] (in Latin). Vol. 4. Munster: Libraria Regensbergiana.
^Ritzler, Remigius; Sefrin, Perminus (1952).
Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi [The Catholic Hierarchy of the Middle and the More Recent Age] (in Latin). Vol. 5. Padua: Saint Anthony Messenger Press.