Diocese of Leptis Magna


The diocese of Leptis Magna was an ancient bishopric in Africa with its episcopal see in Leptis Magna, modern Al-Khums in Libya. After the Muslim conquest of the Maghreb it was abandoned but reinstated as a titular see in the Catholic Church in 1925.

History

Ancient bishopric

Leptis Magna had a bishop from the second century onwards. The first known person known to have served as bishop if a certain Victor who became pope in 189. Bishop Archaeus composed a work on the dating of Easter around the year 200 and bishop Dioga participated at the Synod of 256 in Carthage. The Synod of 484 in Carthage was attended by bishop Callipides of Leptis Magna. After the Byzantine reconquest of Africa from the Vandals, a basilica dedicated to the Theotokos was built in the town and the Nicene creed reintroduced.

Titular See

The diocese was re-established as a titular see by the Catholic Church in the 20th century, first under the name Leptis Maior and since 1933 as Leptis Magna.

List of ancient bishops

  • Victor
  • Archaeus
  • Dioga
  • Callipides

List of titular bishops