Saint Eusebius of Vercelli

Early in the fourth century, Arius and his followers spread the false teaching that Jesus was not really divine. In 325, the bishops gathered in Nicaea and condemned this teaching. They formulated the Nicene Creed. Thirty years later, another council was held in Milan because the Arians were still causing trouble. Eusebius, the bishop of Vercelli in northern Italy, attended and insisted that each bishop sign a copy of the Nicene Creed. At this council, Arius was again declared to be a false teacher.

The emperor, who favored Arius, was not pleased with Eusebius. When Eusebius refused to condemn Bishop Athanasius, who also fought Arianism, the emperor sent Eusebius into exile in Palestine. The Arians there continued to harass Eusebius. He was forced to endure exile in Egypt, too. When the emperor died, Eusebius returned to Italy and fought Arianism for the rest of his life.

Suggestions

• Direct the students to look up the following Scripture quotations on being faithful and to write a prayer asking for help to be faithful to Christ and his Church:

Proverbs 12:22
2 Timothy 3:14
Psalm 119:30
Revelation 1:5
Luke 16:10
Revelation 2:10

• Discuss how Jesus reflected his nature as both man and God.

Excerpted from Christ Our Life, by Sisters of Notre Dame of Chardon, Ohio

Image credit: Maria in Glory with Archangel Gabriel and St. Eusebius, St. Sebastian and St. Rochus by Sebastiano Ricci, 1725. Public Domain via Wikimedia.