St. Eusebius of Vercelli

Patron Saint of Vercelli

St. Eusebius of Vercelli was the first Bishop of Vercelli. He is famous for establishing a community of priests that lived their lives in the monastic tradition. In addition to work done in his own diocese, he also defended St. Athanasius against Arians at a synod in Milan. His defense of the innocent St. Athanasius resulted in him being exiled by Emperor Constantine II. He was sent to Syria and Egypt where he was dragged through the streets and persecuted by Arians for his beliefs.