Bishop of Olivolo
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Diocese of Castello Dioecesis Castelli |
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| Location | |
| Country | Italy |
| Ecclesiastical province | Venezia |
| Coordinates | 45°26′04″N 12°21′35″E / 45.434547°N 12.359853°ECoordinates: 45°26′04″N 12°21′35″E / 45.434547°N 12.359853°E |
| Information | |
| Denomination | Catholic Church |
| Rite | Roman Rite |
| Established | 1074 to 1451 |
| Cathedral | San Pietro di Castell |
The Diocese of Castello, originally the Diocese of Olivolo, is a former Roman Catholic diocese that was based on the city of Venice in Italy. It was established in 774, covering the islands that are now occupied by Venice. Throughout its existence there was tension between the diocese, the Patriarchate of Grado to which it was nominally subordinate, and the Doge of Venice. Eventually in 1451 the diocese and the patriarchate were merged to form the Archdiocese of Venice.
The diocese has its origins in the Patriarchate of Aquileia, founded during the Roman Empire. Hilarius of Panonia is recorded as bishop of Aquileia from about 276-285. As the empire fell into decline, Aquileia was sacked in turn by Visigoths (403), Huns (452) and Lombards (659). During these times of trouble some of the people would take refuge on the offshore islands. By 630 an independent Patriarch of Grado was established on the island of Grado.
The islands of Venice had originally been subject to the Diocese of Padua. In 774 Pope Adrian I and John IV, Patriarch of Grado, authorized the establishment of an episcopal see on the island of Olivolo. The bishopric was established in 774-75 by the Duke of Malamocco, who gave it his protection. Its cathedral was dedicated to Saint Peter. The Bishop of Olivolo was subordinate to Grado and had jurisdiction over the islands of Gemini, Rialto, Luprio and Dorsoduro, the main islands of the city of Venice. The bishopric, taken from the Diocese of Malamocco (Methamancus), formed a small new state, the nucleus of the state of Venice.
The first bishop was Obelerius. He was invested and enthroned by the doge, and consecrated by the Patriarch of Grado. In 798 the doge nominated Cristoforo as his successor. Giovanni, patriarch of Grado, refused to consecrate Cristoforo due to his youth. Giovanni was killed for his disobedience and his successor consecrated Cristoforo. From his name, which is Greek, Cristoforo may have been Byzantine.
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Wikipedia