Tricomia

History

Tricomia (Latin: Tricomiensis) was a suppressed title in the Catholic Church. It is identifiable with the Palestinian village of Tarqumiyah near Hebron.

### Origins and Roman Province

Tricomia is mentioned in the Roman Descriptio orbis of George of Cyprus as one of the cities of the Roman province of Palestine. However, it was never an episcopal seat and its name does not appear in any Notitia Episcopatuum, either Greek or Latin.

### Alleged Suffragan Diocese

From the 18th century, the Roman Curia took the Descriptio orbis Romani as a Notitia Episcopatuum and established the title Tricomiensis, referring to an alleged suffragan diocese of the archdiocese of Caesarea in the province of Palestine. However, this was based on a mistake, as the Descriptio orbis Romani is a civil document.

### Abolition

The title Tricomiensis was abolished on the death of its last holder in 1926.

Description and Identification

Tricomia has been identified with modern-day Tarqumiyah, near Hebron. The town is situated in southern Palestine, as it is mentioned immediately before and after other cities in that area in the Descriptio orbis romani.

### Lack of Evidence for a Diocese

Despite being considered a titular see at one point, there is no evidence to suggest that Tricomia was ever actually a diocese. As a result, it is not included in the Catholic Church's list of titular sees. Le Quien's attempt to enumerate it among the dioceses of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem was based on incomplete information.

### Chronological Account

In his Chronographia, V, Malalas relates an ancient legend regarding Tricomia, but this is not directly relevant to its status as a title in the Catholic Church.