Aemilian I of Vercelli

Holy Hierarch Aemilian I of Vercelli was born in Piedmont in the 5th century and died at Vercelli on 11 September 506. A misreading led a tradition without historical foundation to hold that he was born at Llívia in Cerdanya.

He was elected bishop of Vercelli between 493 and 497 and cared for both the spiritual health and the material needs of the faithful. The Ostrogothic king Theodoric the Great had conquered northern Italy, and much of the population of Vercelli had left, fearing attacks. The bishop became the foremost authority of the city and asked Theodoric to build a bridge and reduce the city's taxes, obtaining both. He also built an aqueduct at Vercelli at his own expense. A defender of papal authority, he went to Rome to a council convened by Pope Symmachus. He died around 506 and was buried in the cathedral. He is honored as a saint of the undivided Church.