Eusebius, Saint martyr
Eusebius, Saint martyr
Martyr , Bishop of Vercelli, born Sardinia, 283 ; died Vercelli, 371 . Elected Bishop of Vercelli, 340 , he was consecrated by Pope Julius I. In 354 Pope Liberius sent Eusebius and Bishop Lucifer of Cagliari to the Emperor Constantius to induce him to convoke a council to end the dissensions between the Arians and the orthodox. The synod was held at Milan, 355 . A document condemning Saint Athanasius was drawn up, and Eusebius, because he protested this and refused to sign it, was exiled, first to Scythopolis in Syria, later to Cappadocia , and finally to the Thebaid. At the accession of Emperor Julian, 362 , the exiled bishops were allowed to return to their sees, but Eusebius remained in the East helping to restore peace in the Church. After the synod at Alexandria , 362 , Eusebius went to Antioch to reconcile the Eustathians and the Meletians, visited other churches of the Orient in the interest of the orthodox faith, and arriving at Vercelli, 363 , became one of the chief opponents of Arianism . He is honored as a martyr because of his many sufferings. Relics in the cathedral at Vercelli. Feast , Roman Calendar, 16 December .