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July 1⃣3⃣
_Feast_ 🌟
*ST. EUGENIUS*
The episcopal see of Carthage had remained vacant for 24 years, when, in 481, the Arian King Huneric of north Africa permitted the Catholics on certain conditions to choose a Bishop.
The Catholics, impatient to enjoy the comfort of a Bishop, pitched upon Eugenius, a citizen of Carthage, eminent for his learning, zeal, piety, and prudence.
But soon King Huneric sent him an order never again to sit on the episcopal throne, preach to the people, or admit any Catholic into the Church.
Bishop Eugenius boldly answered that the laws of God commanded him not to shut the door of His church to anyone that desired to serve Him in it.
King Huneric, enraged at this answer started, persecuting the Catholics in various ways. Many nuns were so cruelly tortured that they died on the rack. Great numbers of bishops, priests, deacons, and eminent Catholic laymen were banished into the African desert filled with scorpions and venomous serpents.
Bishop Eugenius was banished into the desert of Tripoli. under the custody of a man named Antonius who dwelt in the desert &.treated him with the utmost barbarity.
Gontamund, who succeeded King Huneric, recalled Bishop Eugenius to Carthage, opened the Catholic churches, and allowed all the exiled priests to return. After reigning for twelve years, King Gontamund died, and his brother Thrasimund ascended the throne.
Soon Bishop Eugenius was again arrested & banished into exile at Vienne, near Albi, where Eugenius built a monastery over the tomb of St. Amaranthus the martyr, and led a penitential life till his death on 13 July, 505 AD.
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