Eusebius of Vercelli

d. 371 · Bishop of Vercelli · Confessor for Nicaea · Sardinia → Vercelli

The Nicene Age

Who Eusebius of Vercelli was

Bishop of Vercelli in northern Italy and a pioneer of a distinctive Western model — gathering his cathedral clergy into a common, quasi-monastic life, the seed of the later canons regular. A staunch Nicene, he was exiled to the East by Constantius for refusing to condemn Athanasius at the Council of Milan (355), endured harsh treatment in Scythopolis and Cappadocia, and returned under Julian to labour with Hilary of Poitiers for the restoration of orthodoxy in the West. A confessor-bishop who joined monastic discipline to pastoral office.

Also listed in bishops beyond the great sees.

Common questions

When did Eusebius die?

Eusebius of Vercelli is dated d. 371 in the archive, which places Eusebius in the Nicene Age (AD 313–400).

What did Eusebius write?

Eusebius of Vercelli has 1 catalogued writing in the archive: The Letters (from Milan and the eastern exile).

Which early sources mention Eusebius?

Eusebius of Vercelli is named in 3 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Athanasius of Alexandria, Jerome of Stridon and Jerome. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.

Where was Eusebius from?

The archive associates Eusebius of Vercelli with Sardinia, Vercelli. The sources record more than one location, so the places are listed in the order the record moves through them.

Writings (1)

The Letters (from Milan and the eastern exile)

Three letters of the confessor of 355, smuggled to his flock from Arian house-arrest

They dragged me through the streets; yet I write to you, beloved, that the faith of Nicaea is kept unbroken.

Earliest witness · Early medieval Latin tradition (with the Vercelli archives) (9th c. onward)

Read the interlinear source text →

Primary-source mentions (3)

Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.

History of the Arians 33 (the confessor of Milan 355)

c. AD 358

Athanasius of Alexandria · History of the Arians 33 · source text

Chronicle of Jerome (the exile and return)

c. AD 380

Jerome of Stridon · Chronicle, ann. Abr. · source text

On Illustrious Men 96 (Jerome)

c. AD 393

Eusebius, bishop of Vercelli… on account of his confession of the faith, was banished by the emperor Constantius to Scythopolis, and afterward to Cappadocia; and under Julian he returned to his church.

Jerome · 96 · source text