Saint Search
>
Saint Eusebius of Vercelli
Saint Eusebius of Vercelli

Saint Eusebius of Vercelli

Feast Day
Aug 02, 2012
Patronage
Defender of the Faith
<p>St. Eusebius was born in Sardinia in 283.&nbsp; He is a saint from the early church, and was a lector in Rome.&nbsp; There is a letter from St. Ambrose to the Congregation in Vercelli, two decades after St. Eusebius&rsquo;s death that recognizes his piety. He eventually became a Priest, and then the first Bishop of Vercelli. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>At some point in time he led his clergy to form a monastic community modeled on that of the Eastern Cenobites.&nbsp; For this reason the Canons of Regular of St. Augustine honor him along with St. Augustine, as their founder. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>In the year 354, Pope Liberius asked Eusebius to join Bishop Lucifer of Cagliari in carrying a request to the Emperor Constantius II at Milan, pleading the emperor to convoke a council to end the dissentions over the status of Athanasius of Alexandria.&nbsp; The Synod was held in Milan in 355, and Eusebius attended part of the council, but refused to condemn Athanasius. &nbsp;He was first exiled to Syria, under the watchful eye of Bishop Patrophilus, whom Eusebius calls his jailer.&nbsp; He then went to Cappadocia, and lastly Egypt.&nbsp; Several letters surrounding the council written to or by Eusebius still survive, as do two letters written by him during his exile.&nbsp;</p> <p>On the accession of Julian, the exiled bishops were free to return to their sees in 362.&nbsp; Eusebius attended Athanasius&rsquo; synod of 362, which confirmed the Divinity of the Holy Ghost and the orthodox doctrine concerning the Incarnation.&nbsp; Both of these are accredited to his work and teachings.&nbsp; He was a strong defender of the orthodox faith.&nbsp;</p> <p>On his way home from Egypt he continued to visit other churches along the way in the interest of promulgating and enforcing the orthodox faith.&nbsp; Once back in Vercelli in 363, he continued to be a leader in defeating Arianism in the Western Church, and was one of the chief opponents of the Arian bishop of Milan.&nbsp; He died in 371, and his feast day has been set for August 2<sup>nd</sup>.&nbsp; He is best known for his affirming the Divinity of Jesus, and the Cathedral in Vercelli, Italy is dedicated to him.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Practical Take Away</span></strong></p> <p>St. Eusebius sets the example for us from the earliest days of the church that we are to defend the faith.&nbsp; When he was pressured into agreeing with doctrine that was not orthodox, he knew it would have a price to pay &ndash; for him, exile.&nbsp; He went into exile and continued to pray and work for the church until he was allowed back.&nbsp; In the end, the doctrine that he so devoutly defended, the Divinity of Christ, has held the test of time.&nbsp; We know that, through the teachings of our church to this day.&nbsp; We can learn a lot from St. Eusebius.&nbsp; No matter what the cost, always defend the faith, and in order to do that, one must know the faith.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>