As the Diocese of Buffalo celebrated the feast of St. Isidore, an archbishop and doctor of the church, on Monday, it recognized his scholarly achievements.

“Today is the feast of St, Isidore of Seville, a bishop, scholar and patron saint of the Internet, he wrote numerous books, including a dictionary, an encyclopedia and a book on astronomy and natural history,” the diocese posted online. He is widely regarded as the last scholar of the ancient world.’ St. Isidore, pray for us.” 

Isidore was born in Spain in 560, according to Britannica. 

At the age of 40, he became Archbishop of Seville and in 633 he led the Council of Toledo. This council accomplished three key things, Britannica says. First, it was responsible for establishing uniformity across Spanish Masses; second, it called for Jews to not be discriminated against; and third, it set up a union between church and state. 

Isidore also continued the work of his brother, St. Leander, in converting people from Arianism to Christianity. 

Pope Clement VIII canonized Isidore in 1598, and Pope Innocent XIII bestowed upon him the title Doctor of the Church in 1722, Britannica says.

There are three requirements one must meet before becoming a Doctor of the Church, the Crossroads Initiative explains: holiness that is “truly outstanding, even among saints”; deep understanding of doctrine; and “an extensive body of writings which the church can recommend as an expression of the authentic and life-giving Catholic Tradition,” the Initiative says. 

Throughout the history of the Catholic Church. Only 36 people have ever been granted this title. 

St. Isidore has been suggested to be named the patron saint of the internet, despite the fact that he lived long before the internet came to be, according to Franciscan Media. The reason his name is mentioned in that regard is that he was sometimes called the "Schoolmaster of the Middle Ages" because he completed an encyclopedia that was used as a textbook for 900 years. 

St. Isidore died on April 4, 636, and his life is celebrated on the anniversary of his death.