The Presbyters Project

VI.19

39. Sacramentum est in aliqua celebratione, cum res gesta ita fit ut aliquid significare intellegatur, quod sancte accipiendum est. Sunt autem sacramenta baptismum et chrisma, corpus et sanguis [domini]. Quae ob id sacramenta dicuntur, quia sub tegumento corporalium rerum uirtus diuina secretius salutem eorundem sacramentorum operatur; unde et a secretis uirtutibus uel a sacris sacramenta dicuntur. Quae ideo fructuose penes Ecclesiam fiunt, quia sanctus in ea manens Spiritus eundem sacramentorum latenter operatur effectum. Vnde, seu per bonos seu per malos ministros intra Dei ecclesiam dispensentur, tamen quia sanctus Spiritus mystice illa uiuificat, qui quondam Apostolico in tempore uisibilibus apparebat operibus, nec bonorum meritis dispensatorum amplificantur haec dona, nec malorum adtenuantur, quia: 'neque qui plantat est aliquid, neque qui rigat, sed qui incrementum dat, Deus'; unde et Graece mysterium dicitur, quod secretam et reconditam habeat dispositionem.

(ed. Lindsey 1911, pages unnumbered)

VI.19

39. A "sacrament" takes place in a particular liturgical rite when an action is performed in such a way that it is understood to signify something that ought to be received in a holy way. Sacraments, then, are baptism and unction, and the body and blood [of the Lord]. 40. These things are called sacraments for this reason, that under the covering of corporeal things the divine virtue very secretly brings about the saving power of those same sacraments – whence from their secret or holy power they are called sacraments. 41. Sacraments are fruitfully performed under the aegis of the Church because the Holy Spirit dwelling in the Church in a hidden way brings about the aforesaid effect of the sacraments. 42. Hence, although they may be dispensed through the Church of God by good or by bad ministers, nevertheless because the Holy Spirit mystically vivifies them – that Spirit that formerly in apostolic times would appear in visible works – these gifts are neither enlarged by the merits of good ministers nor diminished by the bad, for (I Corinthians 3:7), 'neither he that planteth is any thing, nor he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.' For this reason in Greek a sacrament is called a 'mystery,' because it has a secret and recondite character.

(trans. by S.A. Barney 2006: 148-149)

Place of event:

Region

Iberian Peninsula

About the source:

Author: Isidore of Seville
Title: Etymologies, Etymologiae, Etymologiarum sive Orginum libri XX, Etymologiae sive Origines
Origin: Seville (Iberian Peninsula)
Denomination: Catholic/Nicene/Chalcedonian

Isidore was born ca 560 probably in Cartagena, but later he moved with his family to Seville where he was educated under the supervision of his brother Leander, bishop of Seville in the years 579-600/601. After Leander`s death, Isidore became the bishop of Seville, and he held this office until his death in 636. Isidore was a scholar and prolific writer. Braulio, bishop of Saragossa (631-651 AD) compiled a list of all Isidore`s writings - Renotatio librorum domini Isidori (ed. Martin 2006). One of Isidore`s most famous works was the Etymologies. Isidore was writing them probably from 621 up to his death in 636. In approximately 620 (thus long before completion of his work) he wrote a dedicatory letter to King Sisebut (612-621), edited as Letter VI by Lindsey 1911 (unnumbered page in section "Praemissa"). For a more detailed introduction to the character of this work and historical background see Introduction with bibliography in Barney et al. 2006.

Edition:

W.M. Lindsay ed., Etymologiarum siver Originum libri XX, Oxford 1911, vols. 2

Translation:

S.A. Barney et al. trans., The etymologies of Isidore of Seville, Cambridge ; New York 2006.

Bibliography:

J.C. Martin ed., Braulio Caesaraugustanus, Redemptus Hispalensis, Anonymus, Scripta de vita Isidori episcopi Hispalensis

Renotatio librorum Isidori; Obitus Isidori; Vita Isidori, Turnhout 2006

Categories:

Ritual activity - Baptism and instructing catechumens

Ritual activity - Eucharist

Ritual activity - Anointment with chrism

Described by a title - Minister/λειτουργός/ὑπηρέτης

Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: M. Szada, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER698, http://www.presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=698