Xian County or Xianxian () is a county in the east of Hebei province of China. It is under the administration of the prefecture-level city of Cangzhou.
History
The town was the seat of the Jesuit Catholic Mission, which also provided all of its bishops. Through missionaries who worked there, including the French Séraphin Couvreur and Léon Wieger, it also became a publishing center known in the Western world.
In 1856, the Diocese of Xianxian was established as the Apostolic Vicariate of Southeastern Zhili (Chinese: 直隸東南). In 1924, it was renamed the Apostolic Vicariate of Xianxian, and in 1946 it was elevated to a diocese. Its last bishop was Francis Xavier Zhao Zhensheng (Chinese: 趙振聲 / 赵振声), S.J.
The town is known for its cathedral in Dazhangzhuang, officially named Dazhangzhuang Yesu Shengxin Zhujiao Zuotang (Chinese: 大张庄耶稣圣心主教座堂; "Dazhangzhuang Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral"). Administrative divisions 保定市-行政区划网 Towns: Leshou (), Huaizhen (), Guozhuang (), Hechengjie ()
Townships: Hancun Township (), Monan Township (), Chenzhuang Township (), Gaoguan Township (), Shanglin Township (), Duancun Township (), Zhangcun Township (), Linhe Township (), Shuipingwang Township (), Shiwuji Township (), Leitou Township (), Nanhetou Township (), Xicheng Township (), Benzhai Hui Ethnic Township ()
Climate
Notable people Cai Lanying; cut-paper artist
See also Séraphin Couvreur, a French sinologist, died in Xian county in 1919. Roman Catholic Diocese of Xianxian
References
External links