St. Eusebius of Vercelli

**Saint Eusebius of Vercelli** (c. 283–371) was the first bishop of Vercelli in Piedmont and a stalwart defender of orthodox Christianity against Arianism. He is credited with establishing the Marian cult in the Piedmontese Alps, including the legendary foundation of the Sanctuary of Oropa. ## 📜 Life Born in Sardinia, Eusebius was educated in Rome and became a lector before being appointed the first Bishop of Vercelli around 340. He established a community of diocesan clergy who lived a common life according to a monastic rule—a pioneering model that influenced later religious communities. ## ⚔️ Exile & Return Eusebius was a firm opponent of Arianism, which denied the full divinity of Christ. At the Council of Milan in 355, he refused to condemn Saint Athanasius of Alexandria and was subsequently exiled by the Emperor Constantius II. He spent years in exile in Scythopolis (Beit She'an), Cappadocia, and Upper Thebaid in Egypt before returning to Italy after Constantius's death in 361. ## 🏔️ Foundation of Oropa According to pious tradition, during persecution by local Arian sympathizers after his return, Eusebius retreated to the mountains above Biella. He is said to have brought with him a statue of the Virgin Mary from the Holy Land—the Black Madonna later enshrined at Oropa. He established devotion to Mary throughout the Piedmontese valleys where paganism still prevailed. Eusebius reportedly brought three Black Madonna statues from Jerusalem, placing one at Oropa, one at the Sanctuary of Crea in Monferrato, and one in Cagliari, Sardinia (his birthplace). ## ✝️ Death & Veneration Eusebius died in Vercelli on August 1, 371, and is buried in the cathedral that bears his name. He was one of the first non-martyrs venerated as a saint in the Western Church. **Feast Day:** August 2 (formerly December 16) **Patronage:** Diocese of Vercelli; Diocese of Biella; Piedmont region