St. Eusebius

Eusebius · ~309 – ~310

Sought a middle path on readmitting lapsed Christians and was exiled within months when the controversy turned violent.

Eusebius became pope in 309 or 310 and stepped straight into the same mess that had destroyed his predecessor. The faction led by Heraclius wanted lapsed Christians readmitted without any penance at all. Eusebius tried for a moderate position, requiring penance but leaving room for reconciliation. The fighting between factions again became violent enough for the emperor to notice. Maxentius exiled both Eusebius and Heraclius to Sicily. Eusebius died there shortly after. His entire pontificate lasted about four months. Pope Damasus I later composed an epitaph honoring him for maintaining discipline while showing compassion.

Four Months of Chaos

Eusebius tried to thread the needle between rigorists and laxists, and it got him exiled. Three popes in a row had now been removed from Rome over the same question. The early Church was not a peaceful place. These were real fights with real consequences.