Saint Isidore of Seville, Scholar and Doctor

Saint Isidore of Seville was born in 560 and became a doctor of the church. He struggled as a boy in academics but went on to be one of the most book-smart men of his time.

In this era, the Arian heresy was rampant across Spain. Isidore of Seville was a talented preacher and was a big player in dispelling this false claim that Christ is not divine.

Isidore was a champion of the liturgy and the laws of the Church. He felt a call to life as a hermit, but shortly after the death of his brother, he was named Archbishop of Seville. He also had a couple of brothers who were bishops as well.

The Schoolmaster

In Spain, he brought countless fallen away Catholics back to the faith. He was the president of the Fourth Council of Toledo in 633. Isidore wrote many notable works. Scholars consider Etymologies (or Origins) to be an abridged collection of all the knowledge of his era. Many called him the greatest teacher in Spain and the “Schoolmaster” of the Middle Ages. He makes an appearance in Dante’s Divine Comedy.

In 1822, the Church named Saint Isidore a Doctor of the Church. Butler's Lives of the Saints mentions that the canon Mozarabic Mass used in Toledo to this day still names him.

Feast Day and Patronage

Saint Isidore of Seville is unofficially the patron of the internet since he wrote many history books, a dictionary, and an encyclopedia. Isadore is the patron of students and his feast day is celebrated on April 4th.

Related Products: