Diocese of Hierapolis

This article is about the diocese in Phrygia. For the diocese in Isauria, see Hierapolis in Isauria. For other uses, see Archdiocese of Hierapolis.
Not to be confused with Diocese of Hieropolis.
Ruins of the martyrium

The diocese of Hierapolis, was a Christian bishopric in Phrygia (modern central Turkey).

Through the influence of the Christian apostle Paul, a church was founded at Hierapolis while he was at Ephesus.[1] The Christian apostle Philip spent the last years of his life here.[2] The town's martyrium was alleged to have been built upon the spot where Philip was crucified in AD 80. His daughters were also said to have acted as prophetesses in the region.[3][4]

During the 4th century, Christianity had become the dominant religion and begun suppressing other faiths in the area. A see of the province of Phrygia Pacatiana,[5][6] the Byzantine emperor Justinian I raised the bishop of Hierapolis to the rank of metropolitan bishop in 531. The city's Roman baths were transformed into a Christian basilica. During the Byzantine period, the city continued to flourish and also remained an important centre for Christianity. Tiberiopolis was a suffragan see.

  1. ^ Colossians 4:13.
  2. ^ Papias. Early Christian Writings.
  3. ^ Eusebius Church History 3.31.4
  4. ^ Eusebius Church History 3.39.9
  5. ^ Ramsay, Cities and Bishoprics of Phrygia (Oxford, 1895–1897)
  6. ^ Joseph Bingham, Origines ecclesiasticæ; or, The antiquities of the Christian church, and other works. To which are now added, several sermons. (Joseph Bingham, 1834) p 338.