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E02492: The Martyrdom of *Eusebius (presbyter and martyr of Rome under Constantius II, ob. 356/361, S01413) is written in Latin, presumably in Rome during Late Antiquity, perhaps during the Laurentian schism (498-506), ostensibly by one of the protagonists, Orosius. It narrates the martyrdoms of the priests Eusebius and his relative Gregorius, supporters of pope Felix II (356-365), at the hands of the emperor Constantius II (337-361) and pope Liberius (352-366), during the schism between the two popes. Both martyrs are buried next to *Sixtus II (bishop and martyr of Rome, S00201) on the via Appia in the cemetery of Callixtus.
online resource
posted on 2017-03-08, 00:00 authored by mpignotMartyrdom of Eusebius (BHL 2740)
Summary:
Liberius is called back from exile by the heretical emperor Constantius, requiring him not to perform baptisms but to mingle everyone under one communion. The Roman priest Eusebius denounces Liberius as a heretic and friend of Constantius. As a result, many avoid communion with Liberius, and he decides to occupy churches and expel Felix from his episcopal seat.
Eusebius is arrested, as he gathers people in the house that he himself has built. In a dialogue with the emperor Constantius and Liberius, Eusebius tells them that he is an heir of Pope Julius [Liberius' predecessor as pope] and tells Liberius that he should have persevered in the face of [Constantius'] persecution. He condemns Constantius and Liberius for having sent Felix into exile, although he was spending his time praying on his small estate. Constantius, following Liberius’ demand, shuts Eusebius in a small room. There, Eusebius spends his time praying for seven months and dies, on the 19th day of the Calends of September [= 14 August].
His body is taken by the priests Gregorius and Orosius, his relatives, and they bury it in a crypt next to the body of the blessed martyr and bishop Sixtus on the via Appia in the cemetery of Callixtus. There an inscription is placed in his memory [the text of the inscription is given]: ‘To Eusebius, man of God (Eusebio, homini dei)’.
At that time, the emperor Constantius hears about Eusebius’ burial and orders Gregorius to be shut up alive in the same crypt. Orosius takes the half-dead Gregorius at night, and after he dies, he buries him next to the body of Eusebius. Orosius wrote down these deeds (gesta).
From that day anyone found in churches not adhering to Liberius is killed by the sword on the order of the emperor Constantius. Constantius persecutes Christians (christiani) together with Liberius, and people are killed in squares, roads, churches and baths. After Liberius’ death, Damasus is elected, he condemns Liberius in a synod assembling 28 bishops and 25 priests and the persecution ends, but not for long.
Text: Mombritius 1910, I, 459. Summary: M. Pignot.
Summary:
Liberius is called back from exile by the heretical emperor Constantius, requiring him not to perform baptisms but to mingle everyone under one communion. The Roman priest Eusebius denounces Liberius as a heretic and friend of Constantius. As a result, many avoid communion with Liberius, and he decides to occupy churches and expel Felix from his episcopal seat.
Eusebius is arrested, as he gathers people in the house that he himself has built. In a dialogue with the emperor Constantius and Liberius, Eusebius tells them that he is an heir of Pope Julius [Liberius' predecessor as pope] and tells Liberius that he should have persevered in the face of [Constantius'] persecution. He condemns Constantius and Liberius for having sent Felix into exile, although he was spending his time praying on his small estate. Constantius, following Liberius’ demand, shuts Eusebius in a small room. There, Eusebius spends his time praying for seven months and dies, on the 19th day of the Calends of September [= 14 August].
His body is taken by the priests Gregorius and Orosius, his relatives, and they bury it in a crypt next to the body of the blessed martyr and bishop Sixtus on the via Appia in the cemetery of Callixtus. There an inscription is placed in his memory [the text of the inscription is given]: ‘To Eusebius, man of God (Eusebio, homini dei)’.
At that time, the emperor Constantius hears about Eusebius’ burial and orders Gregorius to be shut up alive in the same crypt. Orosius takes the half-dead Gregorius at night, and after he dies, he buries him next to the body of Eusebius. Orosius wrote down these deeds (gesta).
From that day anyone found in churches not adhering to Liberius is killed by the sword on the order of the emperor Constantius. Constantius persecutes Christians (christiani) together with Liberius, and people are killed in squares, roads, churches and baths. After Liberius’ death, Damasus is elected, he condemns Liberius in a synod assembling 28 bishops and 25 priests and the persecution ends, but not for long.
Text: Mombritius 1910, I, 459. Summary: M. Pignot.
History
Evidence ID
E02492Saint Name
Eusebius, priest and martyr of Rome : S01413Saint Name in Source
EusebiusRelated Saint Records
Type of Evidence
Literary - Hagiographical - Accounts of martyrdomLanguage
- Latin
Evidence not before
366Evidence not after
800Activity not before
358Activity not after
361Place of Evidence - Region
Rome and regionPlace of evidence - City name in other Language(s)
Rome Rome Roma Ῥώμη RhōmēCult activities - Festivals
- Saint’s feast
