Regionarius, plural Regionarii, is the title given in later Antiquity and the early

Middle Ages In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the 5th to the late 15th centuries, similarly to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire and ...

to those clerics and officials of the Church of

Rome Rome (Italian language, Italian and , ) is the capital city and most populated (municipality) of Italy. It is also the administrative centre of the Lazio Regions of Italy, region and of the Metropolitan City of Rome. A special named with 2, ...

who were attached neither to the Papal Palace or ''patriarchium'', nor to the titular churches of Rome, but to whom one of the city regions, or wards, was assigned as their official district. For internal administration, the city of Rome was a divided by the Emperor

Augustus Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus (born Gaius Octavius; 23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14), also known as Octavian (), was the founder of the Roman Empire, who reigned as the first Roman emperor from 27 BC until his death in A ...

into fourteen regions. An ecclesiastical division into seven regions developed from the fourth century, evidently in connection with the seven Roman

deacon A deacon is a member of the diaconate, an office in Christian churches that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions. Major Christian denominations, such as the Cathol ...

s, that gradually replaced the earlier civil divisions. Many branches of the ecclesiastical administration were arranged in accordance with the seven regions — especially the care of the poor, the maintenance of the churches, and whatever else pertained primarily to the office of the deacons, one of whom was appointed over each of the seven regions (''diaconus regionarius''). The deacons were assisted by seven

subdeacon Subdeacon is a minor orders, minor order of ministry for men or women in various branches of Christianity. The subdeacon has a specific liturgical role and is placed below the deacon and above the acolyte in the order of precedence. Subdeacons in ...

s, each a . Notaries and employed in the administration of the regions were also known as and . There is also occasional mention of . Little is known about all their functions, as in general concerning the ecclesiastical administration in ancient Rome, in as far as it affected the regions.

Sources

* {{Catholic, wstitle=Regionarii Catholic ecclesiastical titles History of the Catholic Church