Vartana Explained

Vartana (Vertare[n]sis) was a Roman-Berber town in Byzacena, Africa Proconsulare. It is identified with stone ruins in the area of Srâa-Ouartane, Tunisia.

Bishopric

The city of Vartana (also known as Vertara[1]) was also the seat of an ancient Catholic diocese. Only one bishop is known to us from antiquity. Since 1933 the diocese has been reestablished in name at least and a bishop has been appointed there ever since.[2]

Bishop Vetalis is recorded as attendee to a Church Council in 314.[3]

Bishop Leo Hale Taylor became the first of the new bishops on February 26, 1934. The current bishop is Giovanni Moretti (9 Sep 1971 Appointed -), who succeeded bishop Carlo Minchiatt (1969 - 1971).

Notes and References

  1. http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/former/t1956. Titular Episcopal See of Vertara
  2. http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/former/t1938.htm Titular Episcopal See of Vartana
  3. Henri Irénée Marrou, André Mandouze, Anne-Marie La Bonnardière Prosopographie de l'Afrique chrétienne (303-533) (Éditions du Centre national de la recherche scientifique, 1 Jan. 1982) p1220.