St Isidore of Seville – Saint Of The Day – 4 April
St Isidore of Seville. Related to kings. A brother of three saints. A well-educated writer. He wrote biographies of biblical figures. The patron saint of Internet and computers.
Saint Isidore was born in Cartagena (Spain) in the middle of the 6th century, and was related to the royal family of the Visigothic Kingdom – a Kingdom, independent from the Eastern Roman or Byzantine Empire and covering southwestern France and the Iberian Peninsula from the 5th to the 8th centuries.
Saint Isidore was the brother of three saints – Saint Leander, Saint Fulgentius, and Saint Florentina. Orphaned at an early age, he was educated by his older brother Leander. The range of his knowledge was extensive, and included the study of Hebrew and Greek.
A prolific writer, Saint Isidore wrote on religious, historical and scientific topics. He also wrote biographies of biblical figures and other famous men. His book/writings called Etymologies (or Origins) was a collection of the knowledge of his time, and was used through the Middle Ages.
He participated in a council at Toledo in 610 and presided at the II Council of Seville in 618/619.
Saint Isidore died in 636 in Seville, Spain.
The Patron Saint of…
Internet & Computers
Iconology of St Isidore of Seville
¤ St Isidore od Seville is traditionally portrayed with a mitre, crozier, cope and book (the book is a reference to his writings).
¤ He is often paired with his brother Leander.
¤ A number of portraits picture him while he is writing down his works on which his fame largely rests.
¤ Bees and beehives are associated with St Isidore of Seville, e.g. he is holding a pen while surrounded by a swarm of bees.
Art Confusion – This is NOT St Isidore of Seville ⇓
This painting (below) is often thought to be a painting depicting St Isidore of Seville. As it turns out, this beautiful artwork depicts Saint Denis (San Dionigi) and is created by Clemente de Torres.
