The first recordedbishop ofTarsus, Helenus, went to Antioch several times in connection with the dispute concerningPaul of Samosata.[1]Le Quien[2] mentions twenty-two of its bishops, of whom several are legendary.
Tarsus was themetropolitan see of the province ofCilicia Prima, under thePatriarchate of Antioch.[2] From the 6th century onwards, the metropolitan see of Tarsus had sevensuffragan bishoprics (Échos d'Orient, X, 145).
TheGreek archdiocese, mentioned in the 10th century (Échos d'Orient, X, 98), has existed down to the present day as part of theGreek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch.[3]
At about the end of the 10th century, theArmenians established a diocese of their rite; SaintNerses of Lambron was its most distinguished representative in the 12th century.
Tarsus is included in theCatholic Church's list oftitular sees as a metropolitan see of both theLatin, theMaronite and theMelkite Catholic Church.[4]
TheChurch of the East had a diocese of Tarsus that was asuffragan of Damascus, but no incumbents are known by name.
Bishops of theLatin Church:[8]
Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Tarsus".Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.