(Religion) Trafic d'objets sacrés.
ETYM French simonie, Late Lat. simonia, from Simon Magus, who wished to purchase the power of conferring the Holy Spirit. Acts viii.
Traffic in ecclesiastical offices or preferments.
Buying or selling of ecclesiastical offices.
Buying and selling of ecclesiastical preferments.
In the Christian church, the buying and selling of church preferments, now usually regarded as a sin. First condemned 451, it remained widespread until the Reformation.
The term is derived from Simon Magus (Acts 8) who offered money to the Apostles for the power of the Holy Ghost.