The Italian Catholic diocese of Anagni, in Lazio, has existed since 1986. In that year the diocese of Alatri was united to the historical diocese of Anagni. The diocese is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Rome.[1]
Anagni as a bishopric appears in history in the fifth century. Felix, its bishop, was present at the Lateran Synod held in 487[2], and Fortunatus was amongst those who signed the Acts of the Synod of 499[3]. in later centuries the Bishopric of Anagni attained great importance because its occupants received special consideration from the popes. Zachary of Anagni was the legate of Pope Nicholas I at the Synod held in Constantinople in 851, to decide as to the validity of the election of Photius to the patriarchate. In 896 Stephen of Anagni became Pope. Anagni gave four popes to the Church, all related to one another: Pope Innocent III (1198-1216); Pope Gregory IX (1227-41); Pope Alexander IV (1254-61); Pope Boniface VIII (1294-1303).
Thomas Becket in his flight was received at Anagni by the canons, and a chapel was erected to him in the basement of the cathedral at the request of Henry II of England. Boniface VIII was violently attacked at Anagni by Guillaume Nogaret and Sciarra Colonna, emissaries of Philippe le Bel.[4]
Among the bishops were the canonist Giovani Devoti and Francesco Soderini.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed (1913). Catholic Encyclopedia. Robert Appleton Company.