It's here, it's here! No, not the final battle of the First Round -- though that's an important milestone in Lent Madness 2015. But the matchup everyone's been talking about (or at least Tim and Scott) since the inception of the bracket: Barbie vs. Ken! The 3rd century saint vs. the 17th century English bishop and hymn writer. The winner will face Egeria and the matchups for the Saintly Sixteen will be complete. View the complete (and updated daily) bracket here.
Yesterday, South African missionary and martyr Bernard Mizecki was able to accomplish something that a dragon could not: vanquish Margaret of Antioch. With a 57% to 43% margin of victory, Bernard advances to the Saintly Sixteeen where he will square off against Jackson Kemper.
Enjoy this last matchup of the Round of 32 and gird your loins for tomorrow's start of the Saintly Sixteen as Brendan the Navigator faces Thecla.
Barbara
Barbara is one of the fourteen Auxiliary Saints. Her story is difficult to reconstruct due to inconsistencies and obvious embellishments. She maintains her place on the Roman Catholic and Anglican lists of saints.
Barbara was born in the third century in either Heliopolis in Syria (or possibly in modern-day Egypt) or Nicomedia in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) to a wealthy pagan family. After the death of Barbara’s mother, her father was worried for her safety so he built a large tower to protect her and her virginity.
A traveling physician introduced Barbara to Christianity during one of her father’s extended absences. She believed the message and was baptized. While her father was away, she hired workmen to construct a third window in her tower to represent the Trinity. She also used her finger to etch a cross upon the wall. Upon her father’s return, Barbara explained the significance of the windows and told him of her newfound faith. Her father (in a rage) intended to give her over to the authorities, but she was miraculously whisked away to a mountain gorge. Her father pursued her and found a shepherd who refused to reveal her whereabouts. He eventually encountered another shepherd who betrayed her hiding place.
Her abuse at the hands of her father and the authorities was marked by many miraculous happenings. She was tortured mercilessly but every night her wounds healed while she was in her cell. The torches that were intended to burn her were miraculously extinguished before they could touch her flesh. At last she was dragged out naked to be paraded around the town with another martyr, Juliana. An angel was sent to cover their nakedness.
She was finally condemned to be beheaded. Her father requested that he be the one to strike the blow. On his way home after committing the dastardly deed, he was struck dead by a bolt of lightning. Because Barbara is associated with lightning, she has become the patron saint of firefighters, soldiers, and gunsmiths.
Collect for Barbara
Almighty God, by whose grace and power your holy martyr Saint Barbara triumphed over suffering and was faithful even to death: Grant us, who now remember her in thanksgiving, to be so faithful in our witness to you in this world, that we may receive with her the crown of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
-- David Creech
Thomas Ken
Born in 1637 and ordained in 1661, Thomas Ken was a bishop, hymn writer, author, royal chaplain to Charles II of England, and one of seven bishops who (in 1688) opposed James II’s Declaration of Indulgence, which was designed to promote Roman Catholicism.
In 1663 Ken became rector of Little Easton, Essex, then rector of East Woodhay, Hampshire, and presbyter of Winchester in 1669. He published A Manual of Prayers for use at Winchester College in 1674.
Perhaps no story sums up the moxie of Thomas Ken as Royal Chaplain more than an exchange he had with King Charles II. Ken was asked by the king to cover up an indelicate matter. Charles requested that his consort (Nell Gwyn) be allowed to lodge with the chaplain so as to cover the king’s indiscretions. Rather than assent, Ken replied that it was “not suitable that the Royal Chaplain should double as the Royal Pimp.” King Charles admired Ken’s forthrightness. Later, when the See of Bath and Wells came open, Charles insisted Ken be elevated to the episcopal throne, saying, “None shall have it but that little man who refused lodging to poor Nellie!”
Ken was a famed preacher and even royalty begged for seats when he was preaching. His force of character and faith caused him great difficulty when King James II ascended the throne. He was one of several bishops imprisoned in the Tower of London for refusing to sign the Declaration of Indulgence. He was later acquitted.
Despite this, Ken remained loyal to James through the so-called Glorious Revolution of William of Orange and his consort Mary. William and Mary demanded oaths of allegiance from all bishops. Thomas Ken and others (known as the Non-Jurors — the older meaning of “juror” is “one who takes an oath,” hence “perjurer” as “one who swears falsely”) refused to take the oath. This loyalty cost Ken his episcopacy. He was deprived of his See in 1691 and spent the subsequent twenty years of his life in retirement. Ken’s legacy remains strong and is given voice throughout churches all over the world when they sing “Praise God from whom all blessings flow,” which Ken wrote as a setting for the Doxology.
Collect for Thomas Ken
Almighty God, you gave your servant Thomas Ken grace and courage to bear witness to the truth before rulers and kings: Give us strength also that, following his example, we may constantly defend what is right, boldly reprove what is evil, and patiently suffer for the truth’s sake; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Vote!
[poll id="123"]
238 comments on “Barbara vs. Thomas Ken”
I voted for Barbara because the story of her father violently opposing her life choices reminded me of so many young people today who are persecuted for who they have found themselves to be. Just because a story has become fantastical over time does not mean it does not contain truth.
Thank you! I've been wavering all day, but you've helped me to finally make up my mind.
Thanks, Stephen, for a version of what I have been thinking. It's hard to choose between someone whose story is so "virgin martyr saint" with all the fantastical pieces of it, and someone who has a real history. There are women across the ages who have verifiable stories more similar to most of the men we have been offered in the bracket.
Have they all been used already?
It is “not suitable that the Royal Chaplain should double as the Royal Pimp.” Having served at a number of affluent parishes, with parishioners who sometimes felt "privileged", I learnt early in my ministry essentially what Ken was saying. Not only was it not good for us clergy, it wasn't good for their (parishioners) souls either. So "well done" Thomas Ken.... and with the Doxology to boot, this is strictly "no contest."
I am voting for Ken, but it should be noted that legend has it that the class of drugs called barbiturates were named for St. Barbara. According to Wikipedia: "The most likely story is that Baeyer and his colleagues went to celebrate their discovery in a tavern where the town's artillery garrison were also celebrating the feast of Saint Barbara—the patron saint of artillerymen. An artillery officer is said to have christened the new substance by amalgamating Barbara with urea."
Is it my imagination, or has the SEC decided to be particularly keen on ancient women whose stories are so fantastical that they not only strain credulity but shatter it all together? I must be too much the modernist but my eyes glaze over at the first mention of a miraculous delivery from harm or injury. So Ken it is and besides what's not to like about a man who refuses (to his face) the bishop's unseemly request.
I voted for Barbara because she suffered ore than ken. Her own father beheaded her than lightning struck him dead. I feel she was more deserving.
Note to the high muckity-mucks of the SEC: for the next iteration of Lent Madness, PLEASE add a "Like" button, even a "LOVE THIS!" button. Some of the comments are so spot on, there's no need to add more, but one does feel the need to say... ah, yes, this is the ticket: we need an "Amen!" button. Kudos, gentlemen, for an entertaining and enlightening Lenten practice.
I can't make out why Thomas is a Saint. He seems like he had a relatively planned and safe path and was only asked to speak out in sophisticated manner within his realm on colleagues, like a politician. This seems like a minimum to be a Christian never mind a historical saint. Alas, Barbara's unexpected conversation like usual, and due to her circumstances, had to pay the price because it didn't sit well with those who wanted all the control, especially God control.
For standing up for what he believed even when it meant going against the king, Thomas Ken gets my vote. (I always liked Ken better than Barbie).
While both Ken and Barbie are no doubt worthy saints, I had to vote for Barbara. Did anyone else notice the propensity for these ancient fathers to lock their daughters in towers, Irene the Great in the 4th century and Barbara in the 3rd? Maybe, like Amber Belldene said in Irene's writeup, this really is where Rapunzel came from.
"Every night her wounds healed while she was in her cell". This is what happens to each of us every night when we practice self-examination and confession; our sin wounds are healed when God blots them out and remembers them no more (Is43:25). My sin is real and yet God makes it disappear. With penitent hearts, perhaps especially during Lent, we are mindful that this is like life from a tomb. The story of Jesus' resurrection sounds like fantasy to doubters, unbelievable, improbable, invented. What do I need for my soul to be nourished? Mysticism or certified practicality? Both. My vote is for Barbara.
I think it is late enough in the day that I can be fairly certain that Thomas Ken will trounce Barbara (Barbie). I think he won out because he was at least a believable person. I also liked his approach to spreading the word of God taking into consideration of people's closely held ethnic beliefs. I even think he has a chance against Elgeria who beat out my favorite, Hildegard of Bingen, a true feminist of the first order.
I voted for Barbara. I'm a native of Santa Barbara county. I also find the disdain expressed by so many commentators for Saints with imaginative elements in their biographies a little distressing. God isn't domestic, and any historian worth their salt will acknowledge that much of history has a mythic component to it.
I voted for Ken, but I'll be wearing my Priest Barbie pink vestments on Sunday. So, they both win.
I so wish you could post a photo of those vestments! Please tell me there's a matching pink thurible.
An interesting cultural reference from the Wikipedia about the "Fourteen Holy Helpers": ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourteen_Holy_Helpers )
Barbara is one of the 14 Helpers - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Barbara - and they are the same thing as the "Auxilliary Saints," apparently. Each one was considered an intercessory aid against various diseases and ailments.
And yes, I voted for her.....
Once again, it's historicity over pious legend to determine my vote.
Voted for Ken - but glad the first round is ending - hard to get excited about so many "blowouts"
How could I vote against Ken who refused to be a "royal pimp" - what an eye opening statement at 630 this morning 🙂
Some of these stories are just too weird....sorry, Barbara, it's Ken for me!
Voted for Barbara. It took courage to stand up for her faith.
Also like the idea of the 14-helpers.
Voted for Barbara. She was a courageous girl to stand up to her father. Plus like the idea of her being one of the 14-helpers.
Much as I like to vote for women, Barbie sound too much like one more "death-before-dishonor" dame. Thomas Ken it is! (Besides, one of my sons is a Thomas.)
Much as I like to vote for women, Barbie sounds too much like one more "death-before-dishonor" dame. Thomas Ken it is! (Besides, one of my sons is a Thomas.)
I enjoy the legends that date to the beginning of our Christian Faith and cherish the scribes who recorded, as best they could, the already embellished folklore preserved in earlier generations through the retelling. The stories evolve in time through the native culture and collective thought, but appear meaningfully captured in heartfelt substance.
I really love that. I am so glad they are not dismissed. And when I read about Saints of well recorded history, I feel the significance of the historical timeline here as well as in Europe and other places on the globe. I'm enriched by the enlightenment, and grateful. Let's sing the Doxology! 🙂
Ken for me.
I love the name Barbara, and some Barbaras besides. But I can't vote for a Rapunzel with incredulous miracles, sorry. Ken was brave, gets my vote.
I'm baffled by the disdain so many have expressed for saints with "fantastical/miraculous/mythical" stories. Isn't there a fair amount of material in the Bible that could be described in that way?
Indeed. The Bible, however, generally has some point to make, at least in the New Testament.
First time I let the comments sway my vote. Switched from Barbie to Ken. Fantastical or not I thought she suffered far more, while I definitely liked the "pimp" comment and the Doxology. I was also trying to shape the next bracket with Egeria vs Babs. That being said, I think it will be a better more evenly matched battle with Egeria and Ken. Time will tell.
So it's old, moldy songwriter vs. a woman who remodeled without her father's permission? Barbara it is!
Ken didn't have my vote until the Doxology, but that swung me!