Simony is the act of buying or selling spiritual things, especially church offices, roles, or sacred objects, in exchange for money or other temporal goods. It is considered a sin and an ecclesiastical offense because it treats spiritual gifts or positions as commodities that can be owned or transferred for material gain
. The term "simony" originates from Simon Magus, a figure mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 8:18-24), who attempted to buy the power to confer the Holy Spirit from the apostles Peter and John. Peter sharply rebuked him, and since then, the practice of buying or selling spiritual favors or church offices has been called simony
. Simony became widespread in the Christian Church, especially during the 9th and 10th centuries, as church offices gained wealth and influence. The Church legislated against simony starting with the Council of Chalcedon in 451, and it was condemned repeatedly thereafter. Simony can include buying holy orders, church promotions, masses, blessings, or consecrated objects in exchange for money or other temporal benefits
. To clarify, simony is not related to Simon Peter, one of Jesus' apostles, but rather to Simon Magus, who tried to purchase spiritual power
. In summary:
- Simony = buying/selling spiritual offices or sacred things for money or temporal goods.
- Named after Simon Magus, who tried to buy the Holy Spirit's power from apostles.
- Considered a grave sin and offense in Christian ecclesiastical law.
- Became common in medieval church history but condemned by Church councils and popes.
This practice undermines the spiritual integrity of the Church by equating divine grace or sacred roles with material wealth
