The Archdiocese of Reggio Calabria-Bova () is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Catholic Church in Calabria, southern Italy.Reggio di Calabria - Catholic Encyclopedia article It received its current title in 1986, when the independent Diocese of Bova was suppressed,"Archdiocese of Reggio Calabria-Bova" Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved October 7, 2016"Metropolitan Archdiocese of Reggio Calabria–Bova" GCatholic.org. Gabriel Chow. Retrieved October 7, 2016 and the territory and title of the diocese added to that of the Archdiocese of Reggio.
History Early history
Through a fanciful reading of The Book of Acts of the Apostles 27, St. Paul was said to have preached the Gospel at Reggio Calabria, and to have consecrated his companion, St. Stephen, (it) bishop.Lanzoni, p. 337. D'Avino, p. 563. The first bishop known is Bishop Marcus of Calabria, who was one of five legates of Pope Sylvester I at the Council of Nicaea (325).J. D. Mansi, Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima Tomus II (Florence: A. Zatta 1759), pp. 696, 702.
Medieval period When all Southern Italy was united to the Patriarchate of Constantinople in 732, Reggio became a metropolitan see with thirteen suffragans, and followed the Greek Rite, which was changed to the Gallican Rite after the Norman Conquest in the eleventh century. Reggio had been conquered by the Normans before 1079 and when Basil, the candidate chosen by the patriarch of Constantinople Cosmas I., attempted to take his position, the Normans prevented him from doing so as they saw him as an agent of a foreign power whose lands they were preparing to invade. The seat remained empty for some time until the synod of Melfi in 1089 where Basil appealed to the gathered bishops. He clashed however with pope Urban II when he rejected Urban's authority over the bishops of Italy and his right to appoint bishops in Italy, which was affirmed by the Greek bishops of Rossano and San Severina. His claim was therefore rejected and Rangerius, a monks from Marmoutier, was elected as bishop.
Modern period Archbishop Ricciullo adopted the Roman Rite in 1580. The Greek Rite, however, continued to be used in the church of Santissima Maria della Cattolica, built by King Roger, and governed by a protopope with a numerous Greek clergy. Questions of jurisdiction caused frequent controversies with the archbishop. About 1600 Archbishop Annibale d'Afflitto suppressed the Greek Rite in that church, and the entire diocese now follows the Roman Rite.
In 1594 the city of Reggio suffered a devastating attack of the Turkish fleet, which did severe damage to churches, monasteries and hospitals.Bolani, II, p. 247
In 1783 an earthquake struck the city and damaged the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Body of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven.D'Avino, p. 563.
On 28 December 1908 a severe earthquake heavily damaged the Cathedral of Reggio. Reconstruction was immediately put in motion by Archbishop Rinaldo Rousset.
The cathedral is served by a Chapter composed of four dignities and twenty four Canons. The dignities are: the Dean, the Cantor, the Archdeacon, and the Treasurer. Originally there were only twelve Canons, but Archbishop Centelles increased the number to eighteen, and Archbishop Gaspare de Creales brought the number up to twenty-four. Pope Benedict XIV, in a Bull of 25 September 1741, granted the Canons the right to wear a mitre and a cope.
Archival Heritage The Diocesan Historical Archive of Reggio Calabria–Bova preserves records dating from 1495 to 2011, comprising approximately 500 metres of shelving and around 6,000 archival units. Earlier collections were lost during the Turkish assault of 1594 and subsequent dispersals, but significant materials were recovered and restored during the twentieth century, notably under Msgr. Rocco Bevacqua and Msgr. Nicola Ferrante. The archive was formally recognized in 1997 as being of "considerable historical interest" by the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage.
Digitization projects have made parts of the collection accessible online. Parish registers and diplomatic fonds are published through Monasterium.net and BeWeB (Beni ecclesiastici in web), while digital images of visitations and registers are available on the archive’s own website.
Cultural Initiatives The Archdiocesan Museum, Archive, and Library (MAB) organize cultural and educational programs. In 2024, they hosted a training course entitled Paul of Tarsus and the Origins of the Church in Reggio, combining lectures with guided visits to the Cathedral, the Seminary Chapel, the National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria, and local Orthodox and Jewish places of worship. The initiative was designed to prepare guides and students for the Jubilee Year 2025.
Devotional Traditions The archdiocese is known for regional pilgrimages and processions, including the annual Procession of the Madonna della Consolazione in Reggio Calabria, during which a large painting of the Virgin is carried from the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Consolazione to the Cathedral. In the Bova area, Greek-speaking communities maintain traditional devotions at the Co-Cathedral of Maria SS. dell'Isodia and the Sanctuary of Saint Leo.
Bishops to 1200
? St. Sisinnius (536)A Sisinnius is mentioned in the Acts of St. Placidus, written by Peter the Deacon, monk of Montecassino. Lanzoni, p. 338, calls the story of Placidus lavoro pienamente favoloso. ... LuciusBishop Lucius was the predecessor of Bishop Bonifacius. Lanzoni p. 339. Philipp Jaffé and S. Loewenfeld (edd.) Regesta pontificum romanorum editio altera (Leipzig: Veit 1885), p. 157, no. 1248. Bonifatius (attested 592 – 599)Knowledge of Bonifacius is based on seven letters of Pope Gregory I, written between 592 and 599. Jaffé-Loewenfeld, nos. 1208, 1248, 1276, 1389, 1465, 1586, 1655. Lanzoni, p. 339. Joannes (attested 649)Bishop Giovanni was present at the Roman Synod of Pope Martin I in 649. J.-D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus X (Florence: A. Zatta 1764), p. 867. ... Joannes (attested 680)He was sent to Constantinople as part of an embassy from Pope Agatho to the Emperors. Kehr, p. 19, no. 10. ... Constantinus (attested 790)Cappelletti, p. 157. ... Leontius (attested 869)Leontius was present at the IV Ecumenical Council of Constantinople. Mansi (ed.), Tomus XVI (Venice 1771), p. 195. A Bishop Leo is attested at the Synod of Constantinople of Patriarch Photius in 879. Ughelli, p. 324, wonders whether he might be the same person as Leontius. ... Eusebius (c. 902 – 916)Eusebius is said to have served for fourteen years, during wars against Saracens and Greek, and to have died in 916. Ughelli, p. 324. Cappelletti, p. 157. Stephanus (916–?)Stephanus was the successor of Eusebius and dedicated the Church of S. Michele Archangelo. Ughelli, p. 324, Cappelletti, p. 157. Galatus Rogerius (attested 1014) ... Basilius, Greek Metropolitan of Calabria (? – c. 1078)Kehr, pp. 20-21, nos. 12-13. Arnulphus (c. 1081 – 1090)Ughelli, p. 324. Rangerius, O.S.B. (1090–1112)Rangerius was a French Benedictine of the Monastery of Majoris Monasterii in Tours. On 5 September 1092, as Bishop of Reggio, Rangerius consecrated the church of S. Maria in the territory of the Monastery of Cava. On 10 March 1096 Rangerius co-consecrated a cemetery outside the walls of the Majoris Monasterii in Tours. Cappelletti, pp. 157-158. Kehr, p. 22, no. 16. ... Rogerius (1146–1169)On 19 November 1165, Pope Alexander III confirmed for Bishop Rogerius the possessions of the diocese, as well as its metropolitan status over the dioceses of Tropea, Nicastro, Squillace, Cassana, Bova, Gerace, Oppido, and Cotrona. Kehr, p. 23, no. 20. Gams, p. 916. ... Thomas (attested 1179 – 1189)Thomas attended the Lateran Council of 1179. He died in the first half of 1190. Kamp, II, pp. 917-919. Guillelmus (attested 4 October 1190 – 7 April 1199, died)Kamp, p. 919-920. J(acobus) (16 August 1199 – c. 1215)Jacobus had been Archdeacon. He died in the first year of Pope Honorius III. Kamp, pp. 920-921, points out that the name Jacobus is the traditional expansion of a single initial "I" in a subscription. Ughelli, p. 326. Eubel, I, p. 418.
from 1200 to 1600
Giraldus (attested 24 June 1215 – 21 November 1216)Kamp, pp. 922-925. Lando (attested July 1218 – 9 February 1236)Lando was consecrated by Pope Gregory IX. Lando was transferred to the diocese of Messina on 9 February 1236. He died in 1248 or 1249. Ughelli, pp. 326-327. Eubel, I, pp. 337, 418. Kamp, pp. 926-930. Vernaccio (1252 – after 12 January 1255)Vernaccio had been Chaplain of Pope Innocent IV. He was elected by the Chapter of Reggio and confirmed by Pope Innocent in 1252. August Potthast, Regesta pontificum Romanorum Tomus II (Berlin 1875), p. 1217, no. 14771 (13 November 1252); Ughelli, IX, p. 327. Alexander IV wrote to the Chapter, reconfirming Archbishop Vernaccio. Bolani, p. 241. Kamp, pp. 932-933. Jacobus de Castiglione (11 March 1259 – 1277)Giacomo was a relative of Pope Alexander IV, and a Papal Chaplain. He was in exile from Reggio from 1259 to 1266. He died in 1277. Bolani, p. 241. Eubel, I, p. 418. Kamp, pp. 933-936. Gentile, O. Min. (9 October 1279 – 6 July 1307)Pope Nicholas III rejected the choice of the Cathedral Chapter, Roberto de Castellione, and appointed instead one of his familiars, Fra Gentile. The Pope personally consecrated Gentile a bishop. Ughelli, p. 328. Cappelletti, p. 160. Eubel, I, p. 418, with note 3. Tommaso (7 August 1307 – 1316)Tommaso was the son of Conte Pietro de Catanzaro. Ughelli, p. 328. Eubel, I, p. 418. Sede vacante (1316–1321) Pietro, O.S.A. (30 April 1321 – 1328 Died)Bolani, p. 242. Eubel, I, p. 418. Pietro de Galganis (5 October 1328 – 29 January 1354)Galgani had been Archdeacon of Siponto. Bishop Pietro was transferred to Cosenza on 29 January 1354. Bolani, p. 242. Eubel, I, pp. 220, 418. Filippo Maurello de Castiglione (29 January 1354 – c. 1363?)Filippo had been a Canon of Cosentino. Bolani, p. 242. Eubel, I, p. 418. Carlo (12 February 1364 – c. 1371?)Carlo da Conte Urso held a Licentiate in Canon Law. He was appointed and consecrated by Pope Urban V. Bolani, p. 242. Eubel, I, p. 418. Tommaso della Porta (19 January 1372 – ? )Thomas was a native of Salerno and a Canon of the Cathedral Chapter of Salerno; he held a Licenciate in law. Bishop Thomas had been Bishop of Teano (1369–1372). After appointment as Archbishop, he resided in Avignon until 1374. Bolani, p. 242. Eubel, I, pp. 418, 481. Giordano (c. 1382 – 1404?)On 15 October 1381 he held the office of Collector of Papal Revenues in the diocese of Reggio. Bolani, p. 242. Eubel, I, p. 418, note 7. Pietro Filomarini (1404–1420 Died) Bartolomeo Gattola (1421–1426) Appointed Archbishop of Messina Gaspare Colonna (1426–1429) Appointed Archbishop of Benevento Paolo di Segni (1429–1437 Resigned) Guglielmo Logoteta (1440–1449 Died)Guglielmo Logoteta: Bolani, p. 243. Eubel, II, p. 222. Angelo de Grassis (30 April 1449 – 1453 Died)Grassis had been Archdeacon of Siponto, and Bishop of Ariano (1433–1449). He was appointed to Reggio by Pope Nicholas V. Bolani, p. 243. Eubel, II, pp. 94, 222. Antonio Ricci (4 June 1453 – 1488 Died)Ricci: Bolani, p. 243. Eubel, II, p. 222. Sede vacante (1488–1491) Marco Miroldi, O.P. (4 January 1491 – 1495 Died)Miroldi: Bolani, p. 243-244. Eubel, II, pp. 94, 222 Pietro Isvales (1497–24 Jul 1506 Resigned) Francesco Isvales (1506–1512 Died)Francesco Isvales: Bolani, p. 244. Eubel, III, p. 284. Roberto Latino Orsini (23 July 1512 – 1520 Resigned)Orsini: Bolani, p. 244. Eubel, III, p. 284. Agostino Trivulzio (24 August 1520 – 1 October 1520 Resigned), Administrator Pietro Trivulzio (1 October 1520 – 1523 Died)Pietro Trivulzio: Bolani, pp. 244-245. Eubel, III, p. 284 Agostino Trivulzio (26 November 1523 – 16 July 1529 Resigned), Administrator