In the final battle of a week filled with saintly thrills and spills, Balthazar squares off against Cecilia. And you, yes YOU, get to decide whether to vote against Christmas pageants or against church choirs. So good luck with that. Actually, both saints have inspired many people over the generations -- from those who love frankincense, to those who are allergic to it; from those with melodic voices to the tone deaf.
Yesterday's hotly contested battle between Egeria and Hildegard of Bingen ended with the bracket-busting Egeria edging out Hildegard by the slimmest of margins, 51% to 49%. With almost 6,800 votes cast, Egeria prevailed by less than 140. See, your (single) vote counts!
While we've had our share of nail biters over the years, this ranks up there and was the first truly close battle of Lent Madness 2015. And the comments. The comments! We set a record for most comments ever with nearly 370. Kudos to the commenters!
Balthazar
The story of the Three Wise Men is a beloved part of Christmas crèches and pageants, albeit exercising a bit of editorial license. In Matthew’s Gospel, the text only says that sages and magi traveled from the East to find the infant King — not how many there were or what their names were.
Nonetheless, over time, tradition has narrowed the number of the Eastern travelers down to three and assigned them names — one of which is Balthazar. (In many medieval depictions of the Wise Men, Balthazar is depicted as a young African man). Aside from his presence in Matthew’s story, we don’t know much about Balthazar. He’s a mysterious figure, along with Melchior and Caspar, the other two kings named by tradition. The story goes that they brought frankincense, myrrh, and gold to the baby, carried all the way from the distant lands of Africa, Asia, and Europe.The kings were warned in a dream not to return to the genocidal King Herod, so they headed for home by a different path.
At some point, Balthazar and the other kings were martyred and buried, but we aren’t quite sure where. The explorer Marco Polo thought they were near Tehran, while Saint Helena thought she had found them in Palestine, along with the true cross, and brought everything with her to be enshrined at the Hagia Sophia. When Constantinople fell, the kings were moved to Milan, then Germany. You can now see what are believed to be Balthazar’s bones at a cathedral in Cologne, Germany.
But here is where the story gets really good.
It’s easy to dismiss Balthazar’s story as medieval hagiographic fan fiction. Yet alongside these Western Christian stories ran traditions from within Ethiopia and within Central and Southeast Asia, which traced their Christianity back to the return from Bethlehem of theWise Men. In 1243, Sempad, the elder brother of the Armenian king wrote a letter to his sister, Queen Stephanie of Cyprus, saying “Tanchat [Tangut, or Western Xia], which is the land from whence came the Three Kings to Bethlem [sic] to worship the Lord Jesus which was born. And know that the power of Christ has been, and is, so great, that the people of that land are Christians; and the whole land of Chata [Khitai, or Kara-Khitai] believes those Three Kings. I have myself been in their churches and have seen pictures of Jesus Christ and the Three Kings, one offering gold, the second frankincense, and the third myrrh. And it is through those Three Kings that they believe in Christ, and that the Chan and his people have now become Christians.”
At the time of Christ, the trade routes of present-day India, China, Egypt, and Ethiopia, all flowed through Jerusalem, so it’s not unreasonable to imagine that a curious young trader heard of an unusual baby, grabbed some friends, and decided to go investigate.
What is clear, however, is that his investigations, and the fruit of his travels, changed the world.
Collect for Balthazaar
Lord God, you set the stars in motion and give us wisdom. Bless us this day with the curiosity of Balthazar, that we would seek your will and know your ways, even as those signs pointing toward them would lead us over and beyond the horizons of familiarity. Make us restless to seek your face and your kingdom, knowing that resting in your knowledge and love is to truly come home. Bless all those who travel, and all those who seek the truth as part of their journey. Amen.
Cecilia
Cecilia is the patron saint of singers, musicians, and poets. She was martyred in Rome in the third century. Finding historically factual information regarding her life is a real heartbreaker and can shake the confidence of even the most devoted researcher.
Nevertheless, it is believed that Cecilia was born into nobility and privilege. She was a woman of strong faith and was credited with converting four hundred people. She was married to a pagan named Valerian. With Cecilia’s faith as a living example, Valerian and his brother Tiburtius, along with Maximus, a Roman soldier, were converted. After their baptism, the two brothers devoted themselves to burying the martyrs who were being slain daily. In about 230 CE, the brothers were arrested for practicing their faith. They were executed—and while she was burying her husband and brother-in-law, Cecilia was arrested.
There were several unsuccessful efforts to slay Cecilia, including stabbing, suffocation, and attempts at beheading, but she clung to life. After three days, she died as a result of the injuries.
Many reports tell of Cecilia’s courage and unfailing faith, revealing that she sang praises to God throughout her torment and slow death, hence her musical connection.
Cecilia is among the most famous and honored of the Roman martyrs. Since at least the fifth century, a church named in her honor has been located on the site of ruins believed to have been her home.
Cecilia is widely depicted in art, from paintings and sculptures to stained glass and mosaics and of course, music. Musical works by the greats — Handel, Purcell, Gounod, and Britten, and even contemporary artists such as Paul Simon, The Andrews Sisters, and Blue Oyster Cult, draw on Cecilia’s life and legacy as part of their own expressions. John Dryden, Alexander Pope, and W. H. Auden are among the great poets whose works honor Cecilia. Musical societies and choirs are also frequently named in her honor, including the National Academy of Saint Cecilia. In some places, concerts are presented on her feast day, which is November 22.
Collect for Cecilia
Most gracious God, whose blessed martyr Cecilia sang in her heart to strengthen her witness to you: We give you thanks for the makers of music whom you have gifted with Pentecostal fire; and we pray that we may join with them in creation’s song of praise until at the last, with Cecilia and all your saints, we come to share in the song of those redeemed by our Savior Jesus Christ; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
-- Neva Rae Fox
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225 comments on “Balthazar vs. Cecilia”
Had to vote for St. Cecilia. Even though I am not particularly musical myself, I always feel closer to God when I hear the church choir and hymns.
I enjoyed both biographies, but didn't feel a reach out and grab by the elbow, so I went to http://www.classtools.net/random-name-picker/ and put in their names .. Balthazar for the vote today.
Sempad's letter was the game changer for me.
Sorry, any critical commentary on Matthew's Gospel will reveal that the visit of the Magi was a pious fiction, probably composed by the author of the Gospel. At least that is what I was taught in NT class in Seminary and also read in a number of the aforementioned commentaries. Since Balthazar probably never existed, and Cecilia (for all the lack of information) did, I opted for a real historical figure. Besides, I like Dryden's Ode for St. Cecilia's Day as set to musick by the incomparable Mr. Handel, both of whom also really existed.
Having said that, I will admit I still believe in the visit of the Magi, at least when I read Eliot's equally incomparable poem as well as on every Feast of the Epiphany and other times when it suits me. After all, None of the commentators was there and as I learned from Reginald Fuller in said NT class, a lot of German New Testament scholarship is pious fiction as well.. He said all the radical stuff originated in the Black Forest, even if disseminated by American or UK scholars. Hah! How is that for Anglican-Episcopal fence straddling!?!
The Magi were wise men from the East who practiced genuine Astrology, not the garden variety found in newspapers. It is very likely that they were familiar with the religious writings of the Judeans who were exiled to Babylon in the 6th Century BCE. Some of these Judeans may have remained behind or set up permanent synagogues and/or made converts to their religion. My point is that the information needed by the Magi was very likely available in the region of Babylon at the time of the Magi.
It turns out that that there was an astronomical event around 6 BCE that the Magi could have interpreted to be a sign that the Judeans had a new very special King.
The question about how many Magi and what their names were is a matter of speculation.
If music is where you at, then you cannot disregard the beauty of We Three Kings, or We Three Kings of Orient Are. From the classic church hymn to the jazz version by the Wynton Marsalis Group, Balthazar and the other two kings rock! Nothing against Cecilla, but Balthazar helped usher in the beginning of many traditions and the ultimate the birth of Christ.
Cecilia is my vote! Gotta love a gal who sang through torture!
St. Cecilia Mass by Charles Gunoud has anchored my experience of Easter and Advent for many years. And I agree with Elaine. Today's vote will be easier for me.
I recommend a novel called "Lamb" which is about Jesus' boyhood and his search for the Wisemen along with his best friend Bif. It is very funny. Anyone who has children and especially boys will enjoy the beginning.
The Magi were wise men from the East who practiced genuine Astrology, not the garden variety found in newspapers. It is very likely that they were familiar with the religious writings of the Judeans who were exiled to Babylon in the 6th Century BCE. Some of these Judeans may have remained behind or set up permanent synagogues and/or made converts to their religion. My point is that the information needed by the Magi was very likely available in the region of Babylon at the time of the Magi.
It turns out that that there was an astronomical event around 6 BCE that the Magi could have interpreted to be a sign that the Judeans had a new very special King.
The question about how many Magi and what their names were is a matter of speculation.
Why isn't there a patron saint of film history geeks?
Who's next? St Christopher vs St George??? Is it fair to let "ghost" seeds compete against saints who were really real?
Great question and one I hope the SEC thinks seriously about when deciding next year's bracket, IMO.
I'm very involved in amatuer theatre and therefore involved with music. So I pray to Cecilia frequently. She gets my vote. But I think it's great that one of the Magi is in the bracket!
It's Balthazar today. Ifound out what happened to him when I read Christopher Moore's book Lamb, the Gospel According to Biff.
Obviously a source of absolute, heavily researched and indisputable truth. Glad I was able to read this apocryphal gospel - it should never have been left out of the Bible. What were they thinking?
We found the stories very interesting in spite of not much data to back them up; Because I am fond of music I went with Cecila.
Both of the collects are wonderful. Holy curiosity and musicians blessed with Pentecostal fire--wonderful ways to glorify God.
Phew! Thought we'd never get to vote! I was having Lent withdrawal. Thanks for getting the Madness back up. Cecilia's got my vote. Brave soul to bury the martyred. I imagine she sang all the way to their grave.
I had the pleasure of visiting the reliquary in Cologne - it is something to see and muse over. As some of the others have said, if he were up against someone else, Balthazar may have gotten my vote, but as a choir member, and especially since both of my kids sang in the St. Cecilia choir, I must go with her!
I usually vote for folks (1) whose impact is as much historical as it is hagiographic and (2) who produced influential writings--sadley,this has NOT been a good year for the great Teachers/Doctors of the Church such as Theresa of Avila, Bede, and Hildegard of Bingen!-- but today I vote Balthazar for three reasons:
1. The Magi signify the extension of God's revelation in Christ to the Gentiles.
2. As an academic, I value attention to detail, research, thoughtful interpretation, and rational thought. The Magi were the academics of their day, and they used their observation of and attention to the heavens, plus their research, and interpretive and reasoning skills to come to the conclusion that they needed to adore Jesus as King. Well done!
3. One of my favorite films is Robert Bresson's Au hasard Balthazar, which is about a donkey named Balthazar, who, as an animal, lives a saintly, Christ-imaging life. Different "saint" Balthazar, but I'm guessing a film-character donkey isn't likely to appear on any calendar of saints!
I finally DID vote. Guess I am no longer a lurker as I am commenting. I had go go with Cecilia. I love music, as do my adult children. All of them as kids belonged to the St. Cecilia Music Club. And I taught Dryden's Ode to that saint. But it was a hard choice.
Thank you Sudie for posting the Auden poem. I wanted to do so earlier but was experiencing website difficulties. Perhaps Blessed Cecilia and her music can soothe the savage Server....
God does work in mysterious ways: without the gifts from the 3 Kings (whom I believe Bathazar was one), Mary, Joseph & Baby Jesus might not have had means to flee to Egypt right after Jesus' birth to escape the death threat put on all male infants by wicked Herod, and to stay there until Herod's death. The protocol practiced by these 3 of stopping by to pay homage to Herod on their way into Bethlehem, says they were not your average travelers, but noblemen or higher who wanted to reassure Herod their intentions were of visitation, not of threatening his kingdom.
The gripping story of Jesus divine conception, obtaining Mary & Joseph's total acceptance and support to bring the Baby into this world; to love and to protect against great odds and evil doers required a number of elements to come together, as a divine puzzle. My vote goes for Bathazar, who I believe really existed, and who literally helped save the day for this young couple and their precious Baby.
While I chose Cecilia for a number of reasons...many musical...love Balthazer..particularly as depicted in Amahl... "this is my box" he sings..and while there may have been gold, frankinsense and myrrh...he also had some licorice....I always saw him as childlike and delightdfully innocent.
Isn't it Caspar who sings that?
I have sung in choirs for 60 years and in church choirs for 55. Had to be Cecelia.
So glad the site is up and running so I can vote late. Cecelia it is for me, as a long time chorister. I enjoy learning about all these special leaders so much, I almost don't care who wins, as their lives (or stories) have proven their inherent worth long before we decided to vote for them. Thank you for the information on all these special folks, who lived their faith and in so doing, provide us with inspiration.
Named after my Aunt Cecile, whose mother (my grandmother) was Cecilia, I've always been fond of music and Saint Cecilia, who gets my vote today.
I was undecided even after reading the mini-bios. However, the Simon and Garfunkel lobby comments got me and now I have an ear-worm that won't stop. Go Cecelia
The musician in me speaks: Cecilia all the way!
Our choir director/organ master had a cat - Cecilia - and she was a grand cat. We all miss her. So my vote must go to Cecilia. I like B quite well for the mystery that surrounds him and his guys.
Having put Dads' robes on many children for Lessons and Carols (and Megan being my Priest) I had to vote for Balthazar. I love Christmas pageants - have been involved in many and the Magi are my favorite part of the whole gang. Besides, Balthazar represents a tiny bit of diversity in the NT so GO Balthazar!!
Finally made it to the end of the Comments section! Is there a faster way to get here?
Anyway, after the website error 404, I finally closed my browser and could access it to read and vote! 🙂 Thanks for getting it running again!
As a singer all my life, I have to give my vote to Cecilia. I truly admire her songs of praise in the face of death! May I be so courageous myself!!