Saint Eusebius of Vercelli

The new bishop applied himself with all his power to forming worthy ministers of Jesus Christ. His conduct was justified by its success: several churches wished to be governed by his disciples, and one saw emerge from his clergy a great number of holy prelates as commendable for their virtues as for their learning.

Eusebius had already acquired a high reputation for holiness: this was to be tested by persecutions. In 355, a council was held in Milan where several Catholics, intimidated by the threats of Emperor Const antius and the fur empereur Constance Roman emperor who exiled Eusebius for his opposition to Arianism. y of the Arians, signed the sentence pronounced by the heretics against Saint Athanasius of Al exandria. Eusebius openly r saint Athanase d'Alexandrie Father of the Church who cited Leontius among the Catholic luminaries. esisted the emperor and loudly reproached him for his impurity. Constantius responded with violence: Eusebius was exiled to Scythopolis, in Palestine; Scythopolis Place of exile for Saint Eusebius in Palestine. later, he was transferred to Cappadocia, and some time after, he was taken to the Upper Thebaid. In these various places, the Arians overwhelmed him with outrages and made him suffer the most cruel treatment.

However, the hour of deliverance finally struck. Constantius having died (361), Julian the Apostate permitted the illustrious exile to return to his diocese: he returned, indeed, and Italy cast off its mourning clothes. Eusebius did not remain inactive: in concert with Saint Hilary of Poitiers, he spent all his zeal in combating Arianism in its final strongholds. Finally, full of days and merits, he fell asleep full of hope in the Lord, on August 1st, around the year 370. The reliquary containing h is precious relics is cathédrale de Verceil City where Gaudentius began his ministry under Eusebius. kep t in t châsse Mortal remains preserved in Vercelli. he cathedral of Vercelli.

Of the writings of Saint Eusebius, only two letters remain, one addressed to his Church during his exile in Scythopolis; the other to Gr egory, Bishop of Elvira. Grégoire, évêque d'Elvire Recipient of a letter from Eusebius encouraging him to remain steadfast. Eusebius wrote it during his exile in the Upper Thebaid. In it, he exhorts Gregory to courageously oppose Hosiu s, wh Osius Bishop who failed in the faith according to the text. o had the misfortune of falling into heresy, as well as all those who had abandoned the faith of the Church, and not to fear the power of princes. These two letters are found in the Annales of Baronius, and in volume XII of the Patrologia of Abbé Migne.

Godescard and Dom Cellier.