Bestoenska biskupija u svjetlu dosadašnjih istraživanja
Bestoenian bishopric in recent research

Author(s): Ante Škegro
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Ancient World, Middle Ages, History of Religion
Published by: Franjevačka teologija Sarajevo
Keywords: Roman Dalmatia; middle Bosnia; early Christianity; Bestoenian bishopric;
Summary/Abstract: Recent scientific research shows that in the area of Central Bosnia Christianity was spread even before the reign of Constantine the Great (306.-337). After this emperor had declared Christianity as legal religion, it had spread around in all Roman regions, including Dalmatia and Central Bosnia. In Late Antiquity in Cental Bosnia there was an early medieval bishopric known for the bishop Andrew (Andreas episcopus Bestoensis ecclesiae, Andreas episcopus Bestuensis) who participated on the synods of Salona on 15th June 530 and 4th May 533. In contrary to the archbishop from Salona, Honorius II (527-547), Andrew did not succed to organise large and poor Bosnian bishopric during that synod. Recent research implies that Andrew’s bishopric was on the territory of municipium Bistuensium. Earlier historiography concluded that territory of the bishopric was in the area where there remained Antique structures of early medieval Bilimišće near Zenica (recently dated in late 6th or early 7th century), and in the area of Mali Mošunj near Vitez. Today, researchers locate the area of the bishopric where there was Antique settlement called Bistues at Grudne (Crkvina) and in Čipuljić, Bugojno. Bestoenian bishopric is being located in the area of Rama, upper Vrbas valley, Lašva and the area of Zenica in Central Bosnia and northern Herzegovina.

• Details
• Contents