Chroniclers and historians about the first known Trebinje Bishop Ivan. On the occasion of the 200th anniversary of death of the last Trebinje-Mrkan Bishop Nikola Feric

Sa？etak It was determined for sure that Diocese of Trebinje was established in the second half of the 10th century, and it is not strange that neither the documents related to its establishment nor the names of its first bishops were preserved, because even the names of rulers from that period are hardly known. Since in this year, 2019, is the 200th anniversary of death of the last Trebinje-Mrkan Bishop Nikola Feric (1792-1819), it seems convenient to reveal what is a legend and what is historical truth in different lists about its first Bishop mentioned by name. Namely, few writers and chroniclers from Dubrovnik mentioned the name of Trebinje Bishop Ivan, who is therefore the first Bishop of Trebinje known by the name. However, since those are not firsthand sources, these news cannot be taken as true for sure. Nevertheless, circumstances in which the bishop of that name is mentioned by many chroniclers, say that this is not mere rewriting. Moreover, their news fit well in the time framework and circumstances of the second half of the 10th century when Trebinje Diocese was established for sure. Therefore, their writing and the name of Bishop Ivan could be mentioned in the lists of Trebinje bishops without any reservation