Eusebius of Vercelli

Eusebius of Vercelli (c. 283 in Sardinia; † August 1 371 in Vercelli) was the first bishop of Vercelli, and was canonized by the Catholic Church. In Arianismusstreit of the 4th century, he supported Athanasius.

Life and work

Eusebius was born in Sardinia and was educated in Rome, where he worked as a lecturer. It is believed that Restituta of Cagliari, which is often equated with Restituta of Africa, and his mother was. In 340 he became the first bishop of Vercelli. The community in which his subordinate clergy lived, can be used as precursor of the monastic life ( vita communis ) as care about the Augustinian be seen.

In the Arian controversies of the fourth century, Eusebius was a decided opponent of Arianism, ie the doctrine of Arius, according to which God and Jesus are not the same nature. 353 commissioned him to the Bishop of Rome Liberius to join an embassy under Lucifer of Calaris that should ask for a new synod to negotiate Athanasius the Emperor Constantius II, who had already been sentenced 353 at the Synod of Arles. At the Council of Milan, which was eventually called 355, Eusebius was one of the staunch defenders of Athanasius. Even when the Emperor every bishop who refused to sign the condemnation of Athanasius, harsh penalties threatened, Eusebius remained steadfast. He was condemned and banished.

Eusebius first came into exile in Scythopolis in Syria, where he was bishop Patrophilus, called by Eusebius " jailer ", cruelly treated, later to Cappadocia, and finally the Egyptian Thebaid. Under Emperor Julian, who ruled from 361, he could return and 362 attend the Synod of Alexandria. Here he was commissioned in Antioch to take care of the settlement of the Meletianischen schism. However, he had no success. Eusebius went still further in front against Arianism in the West. One of his main opponents was Auxentius of Milan. According to legend, Eusebius of the Arians, against which he had taken sides, stoned to death.

Aftereffect

After his death, Eusebius was canonized. His feast day is August 2, his feast is celebrated on 16 December.

Most writings of Eusebius are lost. Three short letters are received and published (Jacques Paul Migne, Patrologia Latina XII, 947-954 and X, 713 f.) The Codex Vercellensis in the Cathedral of Vercelli, a manuscript of the four Gospels, was possibly written by Eusebius.

Numerous Eusebiuskirchen are under the patronage of Eusebius of Vercelli; a mural in the Cathedral of Vercelli shows his portrait.