A Long List of Religious Leaders
A historian named Le Quien created a list of 50 archbishops (metropolitans) of Nicomedia, an ancient Christian city. In fact, the list can be made even longer, because Nicomedia was always an important religious center and never lost its status as a metropolitan see (a major bishopric).
Some Catholic archbishops from later times were also mentioned by Le Quien and another historian named Eubel, who wrote about the Catholic Church in the Middle Ages An Educational Trip for Tourist Guides.
Important Bishops from Nicomedia
Over the centuries, Nicomedia had several notable bishops, including:
Eusebius, Eudoxius, and Demophilus, who supported Arianism (a Christian belief that was later declared heresy). All three eventually became bishops in Constantinople.
St. Theophylactus, who was killed for his faith during the time of the Iconoclasts in the 9th century.
George, who was known as a great preacher and was a friend of Photius, a famous religious figure.
Philotheus Bryennios, who is known today as the titular bishop (a bishop in title, without actual authority over the area). He is famous for discovering and publishing the Didache, one of the earliest Christian writings Walking Tour Istanbul
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What Happened to Nicomedia’s Churches
By the 8th century, Nicomedia had eight smaller dioceses (suffragan sees) under its authority. Over time, these smaller sees slowly disappeared.
Modern İzmit A City with a Rich Past
Today, Nicomedia is called İzmit, and it is the main city of a region (sanjak) under the control of Istanbul (Constantinople). The city has about 25,000 people, but many are poor because their economy suffered when the new German port of Haidar Pacha took over most of the region’s trade.
Catholic Mission Work in İzmit
Since 1891, Catholic missionary groups have been active in İzmit:
The Augustinians of the Assumption run a mission and school.
The Oblates of the Assumption have opened a school and a small clinic (dispensary).
There are about 250 Latin Catholics in the area, with around 70 living in the city itself. There is also an Armenian Catholic parish with about 120 members.
