Saint Eusebius of Vercelli, Role Model of the Defenders of the Truth

Catholicscope - “I ask you to keep faith with great care, seek harmony, persevere in prayer, remember me always, so that Christ may bestow freedom on His suffering Church throughout the world.”

Thus one of the expressions of Saint Eusebius of Vercelli. He is known as one of the saints who dare to defend the truth, even though life is at stake.

Saint Eusebius of Vercelli was born on the island of Sardinia, Italy, in 283. His parents were devout and pious Christians. Her father died when Eusebius was a child. The father was known to die as a martyr.

Saint Eusebius of Vercelli

Since his father died, his mother took Eusebius to Rome. Eusebius is active in the Christian community. He became Lector and minister of the priest.

Eusebius was called to serve the people of Rome. He continued his studies to Vercelli, Northern Italy. In 340, he was chosen as the first bishop of Vercelli. Bishop Eusebius and some of his priests lived an ordinary life in the monastic lifestyle of the monks. His priests are well prepared to grow in the spiritual life.

At that time, the Arian heresy was widespread. Many people get confused and think the heresy is true. Emperor Constantius was also an Arian heretic, he wanted everyone to side with him.

The bishops who did not submit to him were banished from their dioceses. One of them was St Athanasius who was banished in 355. Eusebius was present at the Milan Session condemning St Athanasius. However, Eusebius did not want to vote to oppose Atanasius.
Because of that, Eusebius was banished to Palestine. In the beginning, a kind-hearted man gave him a lift as a distinguished guest at his home.

However, this good man died and the Arian heretics kidnapped the bishop. They molested him, dragged him on the streets, and locked him in a small room for four days.

When the envoys from the Diocese of Vercelli demanded that the bishop be released and returned to his place of origin, the demands were fulfilled. However, Bishop Eusebius was tortured and persecuted again. When Constantius died in 361, the next emperor allowed the exiled bishops to return to their diocese.

Saint Eusebius was a valiant advocate of truth. He is willing to risk his life in defense of the truths such as St Athanasius and St Meletius. Saint Eusebius of Vercelli is believed to be one of the contributors in the preparation of the “Athanasian Creed”.

This creed is one of the most valuable creeds in which all of what we believe to be Catholic. After being released, Bishop Eusebius spent his life in Vercelli. Saint Eusebius died on August 1, 371. The church celebrates the memorial to Saint Eusebius of Vercelli every August 2nd.