Saint Eusebius of Rome, priest and Martyr
by VP
Posted on Thursday August 14, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
"POWER OF MEEKNESS.- Eusebius was a priest, and possessed in an eminent degree the Christian and sacerdotal virtues. Having been denounced to Maxentius, the governor of Palestine, as a Christian, he replied with so much gentleness, although with unwavering firmness, that the judge, being moved, did not venture to condemn him, and transferred him to the tribunal of the Emperor Maximian, who was then in Palestine. Maximian was of a ferocious disposition, and had been duly warned against allowing himself to be gained over by the powerful influence exerted by Eusebius. But his ferocity and prejudice alike subsided in presence of that venerable countenance, all radiant with happiness and serenity, despite the torments to which he had been subjected. On hearing those calm and gentle tones, the tyrant did not venture to pass sentence himself, and sent back the accused to Maxentius, telling him to judge him according to the rules of equity. Maxentius employed all the means in his power to save him; but the holy priest would have accounted himself too unfortunate to escape from martyrdom; he was too eminently a Christian to allow of the matter being even dissembled. He was eventually beheaded.
MORAL REFLECTION.-“Admonish them to be subject to princes and powers, showing all mildness to all men." (Tit. iii. 1.)" Pictorial Half Hours with the Saints by Abbe Lecanu
