Simony
/ˈsɪməni/noun
The buying or selling of church offices, sacraments, or other spiritual privileges.
Did you know?Simony is named after Simon Magus, the magician in Acts who tried to buy spiritual power, so the word itself was born from a story about corrupted sacred power.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Σίμων (Símōn)
“Simon, a personal name”
Late Latin
Latin
simonia
“The buying and selling of spiritual things”
Old French
Old French
simonie
“The sin of purchasing church office or spiritual benefits”
14th Century
English
simony
“The corrupt buying or selling of ecclesiastical office or favors”
Modern English
English
simony
“The buying or selling of church offices, sacraments, or other spiritual privileges.”