Thirty-four consonants between them! That's what we're talking about in the long-anticipated Battle of the Consonants between Samuel Isaac Joseph Schereschewsky and Nikolaus von Zinzendorf. You have 24-hours (or 10 fewer hours than consonants) to decide this tongue twister of a matchup.
With only three battles left in the Round of 32, we will be kicking off the Saintly Sixteen on Thursday. The field is narrowing, folks! In case you missed it, on Friday Scholastica schooled Macrina the Younger 64% to 37%. But that's old news. So let's get on with it, shall we?
But first, check out this article about Lent Madness written by Emily Miller of Religion News Service that made its way into various secular newspapers over the weekend.
Oh, and we challenge you to write a limerick based on today's matchup. Just because. Leave your best attempt in the comment section.
Joseph Schereschewsky
Born in Russian Lithuania in 1831 and raised by his half-brother, Samuel Isaac Joseph Schereschewsky was groomed to become a rabbi. During his theological education, he received and read a copy of the New Testament in Hebrew. Becoming convinced of Christ’s divinity, Schereschewsky moved to Germany to continue his studies of Christianity and theology before ultimately immigrating to the United States in 1854. He celebrated his baptism as part of a Baptist worship community in New York the following year.
After falling in with the Baptists, he felt led to investigate the Presbyterian experience, and eventually made his way to the Episcopal Church, enrolling at the General Theological Seminary in New York City. In 1859, Schereschewsky offered himself as a missionary to China. The Foreign Committee of the Episcopal Church agreed to his proposed mission and consecrated him a deacon, and Schereschewsky jumped a steamer to Shanghai.
Schereschewsky was a stone-cold genius with language—to call him a polyglot is an understatement. By young adulthood, Schereschewsky could speak Yiddish, Hebrew, German, Polish, and Russian with absolute fluency. When he arrived in China, he began translating the Bible into the vernacular of the people to whom he was ministering. Once the Bible was translated, he also translated The Book of Common Prayer into Mandarin. Schereschewsky’s ministry in China was so vibrant that the House of Bishops called him to serve as Bishop of Shanghai in 1877.
Schereschewsky fell ill after arriving in China. A degenerative neurological disease resulted in the resignation of his episcopate in 1883 and his return to the United States. Schereschewsky spent the final years of his life entirely paralyzed, except for one finger, which he used to painstakingly type out his translations of the scriptures. These translations were so accurate and understandable that they are still used today. By the time of his death, Schereschewsky had translated the word of God into Mandarin, Wenli, and Mongolian, as well as compiling a Mongolian-to-English dictionary.
Collect for Joseph Schereschewsky
O God, who in your providence called Joseph Schereschewsky from his home in Eastern Europe to the ministry of this Church, and sent him as a missionary to China, upholding him in his infirmity, that he might translate the Holy Scriptures into languages of that land: Lead us, we pray, to commit our lives and talents to you, in the confidence that when you give your servants any work to do, you also supply the strength to do it; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Nikolaus von Zinzendorf
Nikolaus von Zinzendorf was a German poet, preacher, hymn writer, theologian, religious leader, and bishop. The phrase most closely linked with Zinzendorf is Unitas Fratrum or Unity of Brethren. The words have been associated with The Moravian Church since its inception.
Born into one of the great noble families of Austria in 1700, the young duke took a great interest in theology and religion. In 1716, he began his study of law at the University of Wittenberg in preparation for a career in diplomacy. Three years later, Zinzendorf departed the university and traveled throughout Europe. Upon acquiring a Saxony estate, Zinzendorf allowed the religious group Unitas Fratrum to settle on his land. There, the Moravian Covenant for Christian Living was born, reflecting a rich liturgical and devotional life. Zinzendorf said, “All of life becomes a liturgy, and even the most mundane task can be an act of worship.” Unitas Fratrum became the Moravian Church.
Zinzendorf was ordained a Lutheran minister in 1735 and consecrated a bishop in the Moravian Church in Berlin two years later. Regarded as a strong leader, Zinzendorf dedicated his personal funds and fortune to the work of the church, becoming a staunch advocate for ecumenism. In 1741, Zinzendorf and a group of companions arrived in the American colonies to minister to the Indigenous population and German-speaking immigrants. Inspired by their Christmas arrival, the missionaries named the new settlement Bethlehem. Zinzendorf preached the gospel to everyone he encountered—free people, indentured servants, slaves, and Indigenous peoples—including leaders of the Iroquois Nation, Benjamin Franklin, and other notable leaders in the colonies.
By the time Zinzendorf died on May 9, 1760, the Moravians had dispatched an astonishing 226 missionaries across the Americas and around the world to spread the good news of Jesus and his love. One of Zinzendorf’s best-known offerings is the Moravian Common Table Prayer: “Come Lord Jesus, be our Guest and let thy gifts to us be blessed.”
Collect for Nikolaus von Zinzendorf
God of new life in Christ, We remember the bold witness of your servant Nikolaus von Zinzendorf, through whom your Spirit moved to draw many to faith and conversion of life. We pray that we, like him, may rejoice to sing your praises, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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263 comments on “Joseph Schereschewsky vs. Nikolaus von Zinzendorf”
Typing a translation of the Bible with one finger and the rest of your body is paralyzed. Samuel Issac Joseph is not a Saint. He is a Miracle. My vote is for him.
The Church in China is undergoing explosive growth and in a few years it will be the largest Christian country in the world. Schereschewsky's translations are still in use. That's a lot of impact from one finger!
He was also the founder of St. John's University the most important university in Shanghai in the early 20th century.
Like Joseph. I have an affliction
That causes a difficult striction.
When words I must type.
I've been known to gripe,
Why must I endure this condition?
Well, it's close. And Joseph got my vote!
As a graduate of Salem College located in Winston Salem, North Carolina, I went for Count Zinzendorf. The college is Moravian by heritage and students are introduced to all things Moravian during their time in Old Salem. It is a beautiful gem of a campus located near the Moravian archives and other historical buildings. If ever you are in Winston-Salem NC you will easily be enveloped by Moravian History.
I have to vote for the man who named my American ancestral home. My family came here in the 1750's so von Zinzendorf has a very special place in my heart...
As a graduate of Salem College in Old Salem in Winston-Salem, N.C., I must go with Zinzendorf. Ih ave said that blessing many times over the years, and nearly every night of college when we gathered for family-style meals that began with a slightly modernized version: "Come Lord Jesus, our guest to be; and bless these gifts bestowed by thee."
Pennsylvania, Moravians, Bethlehem, Peeps. It's Zinzendorf for me.
This one was really hard. Both these men gave everything for the spread of the Gospel. I settled on zinzendorf. I admire the Moravians
This was way harder than I thought. But, in the end, I had to go with Samuel. For persevering to the end, even with only the use of a finger, but also because the day he's remembered is also my birthday, and I've had a soft spot for him ever since learning that.
Another great match-up. It would be inspiring to see either of these names on the 2017 Golden Halo mug. I ultimately swung into the Zinzendorf camp for the ephemeral and almost incidental reason that Moravians love of God and love of music forever go hand in hand.
Zinzendorf came to the US and was our guest,
While Shereschewsky steamed to China to do his best,
Both earned their wings,
Doing incredible things,
Now Shereschewsky and Zinzendorf for a halo contest!
China is my second home. No contest for me.
Samuel Isaac Joseph Schereschewsky --
so amazing the languages he knewsky!
Zinzendorf did so much
spreading grace midst the "Dutch,"
but he never experienced sushi!
Much to admire about Zinzendorf -- I spent the past ten years living just south of Bethlehem and getting to know the Moravian Church. But Samuel Isaac Joseph Schereschewsky (whose name is just way too fun to say!) travelled so far and accomplished so much. After translating Scripture into two Chinese dialects and Mongolian, he spent his final ten years of painstaking ministry in Tokyo, and also translated the Bible into Japanese! Hard matchup, but I just had to pick him.
Very clever, Lisa!
Both men have given the world so much. I was especially moved by Joseph's commitment to continue on in spite of a major physical challenge. There are others like him who have given the world so much when it would have been easy for them to give up: Christy Brown, Joni Eareckson Tada; Stephen Hawking, etc. Each ministered in different ways. But remaining true to Jesus and God was the gift both men gave to the world.
Another tough choice. I found both men bold and inspiring, but finally settled on Joseph. His language abilities helped bring the Gospel to those in their own words. Never underestimate the power of the Word!
Community and every task a liturgy,,,,,t'is Zinzendorf for me! ( not exactly a limerick!)
Wow, Schereschewsky served God with one finger way more than I do with 10! What an amazing man!
Two Bishops did battle on Monday.
More letters than anyone can say.
Schereschewsky in Chinese.
Zinzendorf to all he sees.
Their work and words showed all folks the Way.
Had to vote for Schereschewsky, my grandparents were also missionaries in China. They translated the Gospel of Luke into Lisu language. But both candidates were outstanding, as often happens in Lent Madness.
I voted for Joseph because of his hard work in Language and spreading God's love to countries where God was not widely accepted.
How many people would persist in their work after being totally paralyzed? Joseph's journey makes me aware and ashamed of my complaining!!
These names look like they come right out of Harry Potter!!
Had to vote for Schereschewsky since I was ordained to the priesthood on his feast day .
It's not every day you get to see the word vernacular, and today is the Vernal Equinox. Random thought: I wonder if vernacular-vernacularism-vernal-vernalize-vernation can be found in Joseph's Mongolian-to-English dictionary. Vernare - to behave as in spring.
My vote is for him, whose desire and will were not paralyzed when all he had left was a single digit. Happy Spring everyone 😉
Today was a tough choice and not only because of pronunciation of names. Awesome saints, both challenging to spell. I had to go with Bishop Joseph - I too was brought up in a Jewish family, although I don't think anyone had plans for me to become a rabbi, just a nice good Jewish girl. Thank God He had other plans so I ended up a nice (and hopefully good) Episcopal priest.
Continuing to serve God with your last movable finger vs worship in the most mundane tasks. A tough choice today but I am voting for Schereschewsky.
Dear Supreme Executive Committee,
I have written a limerick, witty;
But the choice is so hard:
Polyglot or bard?
Between Joe and Nick,
Which one shall I pick?
Tim and Scott, I beseech you: Take pity!
"like"
That quote, about even the most mundane task becoming an act of worship, is SO inspirational, I am going to put it up on my wall. That said, though, I did vote for Joseph., not Zizendorf. (Notice I didn't even try typing out Joseph's name, much less attempt a limerick!) Joseph's conversion, his genius for languages; (prime example of God giving a,talent so it could help others,) and, most of all, Joseph's dedication--his translating the Bible with ONE FINGER WHILE TOTALLY PARALYZED is ONE OF THE MOST INCREDIBLE THINGS I'VE EVER HEARD OF. Deeply moved by this, I had to vote for him. I am sure, for his dedication, he is running all over Heaven now; walking, hang gliding, exercising, eternally free!!!
Samuel Isaac Joseph Schereschewsky gets my vote. I have a son with a neuro-muscular disease that has affected his ability to work full-time at his chosen profession, and yet continues to work in the vineyard of the Lord.
Zinzendorf, only because in his fancy duds he'd look so much better wearing the golden halo than the somber missionary.