“The End is Near!” proclaims the ubiquitous sign of the doomsday prophet. In the case of Lent Madness 2018, our sign-wielding friend would be correct. Welcome to the Faithful Four. After weeks of learning and voting and debating, the saintly field has been whittled down from 32 to four spiritual heavyweights: Esther, Maria Skobtsova, Anna Alexander, and Richard Hooker.
As we like to tell our five-year-olds when they join their first soccer team (that’s football for our friends across the pond), “there are no losers, everybody’s a winner.” Of course we’re lying. Thus, while we can sing the praises of these four saintly souls, only one Golden Halo will be awarded.
Today Esther takes on Maria Skobtsova; tomorrow Anna Alexander battles Richard Hooker; and on Spy Wednesday the championship round will take place. For the Faithful Four, we let our remaining Celebrity Bloggers loose as they answer the question “Why should Saint XX win the Golden Halo?” In other words, they’ve been charged with letting us know why their particular saint is so awesome. In this match-up, we have the unique situation of Megan Castellan writing for both Esther and Maria. Oddly enough this is familiar ground for Megan who, in 2015, also had both sides of a Faithful Four matchup in advocating for both Brigid of Kildare and Egeria. Tomorrow Anna Courie is writing for Anna Alexander and Marcus Halley for Richard Hooker.
To make it to the Faithful Four, Esther made it past Lazarus of Bethany, Michael the Archangel, and Peter, while Maria bested Thomas à Kempis, Quiteria, and Martin de Porres. Here’s your chance to send one of these inspiring women off to vie for the Golden Halo.
Esther
I was introduced to Esther the same way most of us are. She was the pretty, beauty-pageant winner in the book of children’s Bible stories. She seemed glamorous and likable—like the popular cheerleader in high school. It wasn’t until later that I began to see her as a partner-in-crime.
Esther, the only popular biblical heroine who does not fit either the category of mother or reformed prostitute, somehow manages to survive and prosper in a world that sees her at every turn as less than human. Consider the story we know: the king begins his search for a new queen only because Vashti makes the (perfectly reasonable) request to not attend his dinner party so he can show her off. The king picks Esther to marry, not because he loves her, but because she’s the prettiest. So Esther becomes queen, having realized two fundamental things at the exact same time: first, that her worth consists solely in her appearance, and secondly, and most crucially, that will not protect her life from the king’s displeasure.
And yet, in this most dehumanizing situation, Esther steps up and intercedes for her people, valuing their safety and security just as highly as 
she prizes her own. In so doing, she became an inspiration and adopted patron to the countless conversos of Spain who were baptized at the end of a sword. Through her aid, they held onto their belief in their own humanity, their faith, and God’s goodness towards them. Esther remained, for them, a sign that God still acted for God’s people even when the truth was shrouded, religion perverted, and all seemed lost.
For us, Esther is an example of faithful leadership. Having made her way into power and privilege, she then uses that privilege in the service of those without it. Esther is a model of leadership through kenosis; a self-emptying leader who risks her life just as she had managed to save it, so that others, too, might be as free as she.
In these turbulent times, may we all be as brave as Queen Esther.
Maria Skobtsova
Maria Skobtsova was a simple woman, who lived a simple life. She was born in Russia, under the czar, and early on, discovered a passion for art and the life of the mind. She joined the Russian Revolution, but became disenchanted with it soon after.
She finally found what she had been searching for in the Church. She studied theology and ultimately took orders as a nun. But what set Maria apart was not her dedication to the church—it was her dedication to the world. When she took her final vows, she required the bishop to make her a promise, that she would never be taken out of the world. For her, serving the people who suffered was the true calling of Christ. That was where she found her greatest call. She frequently ran into trouble with the other nuns and priests she brought to her boarding house in Paris, because she would skip the daily prayers in order to attend to some emergency with someone off the street. She was notorious for her stubbornness, but she persisted, replying “At the Last Judgment I will not be asked whether I satisfactorily practiced asceticism, nor how many bows I have made before the divine altar. I will be asked whether I fed the hungry, clothed the naked, visited the sick, and the prisoner in his jail. That is all I will be asked.”
Maria lived such a dedicated and passionate life that it is difficult to sum it up briefly. She was, above all, clear in her calling and in her purpose, 
even when it confused and confounded everyone else, including her own Church. When she found the sick, she nursed them; when she found the homeless, she housed them. When the Nazis began rounding up Jews for deportation, Maria snuck into the Vélodôme d’Hiver in Paris and brought them food, and falsified baptismal certificates. At every point in her life, it was clear that she knew the call of Christ, and nothing, not society, not the church bureaucracy, and not even Hitler’s legions, would stop her from following.
Sadly, there were not many following Maria’s path during the Nazi occupation. Far too many Christians chose silence and denial to survive, rather than courageous resistance for the sake of the gospel. Yet Maria shows us just how powerful one person’s act of sacrifice can be. While in the moment, it may seem to have been in vain, if Maria’s life can shine a light for us in our day, then she will have accomplished something magnificent.
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180 comments on “Esther vs. Maria Skobtsova”
What a hard choice so early in the day for me. I have voted to both woman to get to this point but having taught religion to Preschool-5th grade in my past life, Esther was and is still a shining example for girls in the OT in my 3rd grade class. So, though I truly admire Maria I must go to Esther even thou I know she will probably not win. Please bring her back an other year!
While we have voted for Esther in the earlier rounds, the vote now goes for Maria. Esther is well known throughout biblical history, but we've just learned of Maria's considerable contributions in this season of Lent Madness. We also think Maria has a better chance against either Anna Alexander or Richard Hooker. Go Maria and Anna!!!
Marias story resonated with me but I thought Esther s resonated with the current times when women are standing up for themselves and others. Kinda a.Saint for the Times up and Enough is Enough moments
Interestingly enough, I just got an alert from Amazon about the Queen Esther Squad tee-shirt. Go Esther.
A very tough choice, since they were both leaders who risked their lives to help others.
I love Esther. Purim spiels and festivals are lots of fun. I mean, there's nothing like an opportunity to make a bunch of noise at the name "Haman" and enjoy some Hamantaschen while doing it. That said, Megan's write-ups about Maria have captured my attention throughout. And this quote was perfect: "At the Last Judgment I will not be asked whether I satisfactorily practiced asceticism, nor how many bows I have made before the divine altar. I will be asked whether I fed the hungry, clothed the naked, visited the sick, and the prisoner in his jail. That is all I will be asked.” Esther has my love and admiration; Maria gets my vote.
Both beautifully written profiles. Thank you, Megan. I also am torn, going back and forth between the two. In the end, I vote for Esther in honor of my dear friend Eva, who loves her so much. I also think modern figures tend to do better than ancient ones, so I make my feeble attempt to turn the tide. Help me, Canute!
Maria, fierce and fearless, believed nothing could or would or should separate any of us from God's love. Nun better!
Today's edition of "Vision and Viewpoint", a weekly e-newsletter from Sr. Joan Chittister, includes a brief write-up of Maria for the date of March 31, the date of her death in 1945. Was this a sign? This was a hard choice but tomorrow's won't seem easier.
I like Esther.
Totally agree Cormac-Should be closer
Russian beer — BLECH! Israeli wine in a nice class — Esther
This is perhaps the most difficult one I've seen. I voted for Maria because she was so right in knowing what was asked of her in this life - action that was more important than obedience. I suspect most of us would choose to judge her for the lives she saved rather than the fact that she forged documents. Esther also saved many lives and she speaks so clearly to me today in that she recognized her privilege and used it to help those who were oppressed. I believe Maria also used her privilege (as a nun who could sneak in to the Vélodôme d’Hiver and help others). We, too, are called to recognize our privilege and to use it in the service of those who are oppressed.
Agreed, Pat! Recognizing our own privilege and using it to help the oppressed!
So hard! But Maria is closer in time to this century so her sacrifice seems more relevant.
Since I couldn't vote for both, I voted for Maria, but please bring Esther back if she loses!
Megan's write ups made this a very difficult choice. Well done!
Sorry, but this is wrong! Miriam, Deborah, Judith are all biblical heroines and neither mothers nor reformed prostitutes!!!!
I'm voting both for Maria and against Esther. If Esther's story ended with her defense of her people, that would be great. But it doesn't. "Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women." Little kids were assaulting the Jews. Right. I'm afraid I would not have known about this except for Lent Madness! But Maria...she's amazing, and I'm so glad to know about her!
Exactly, Barbara. So often when we are told the story of Esther it stops when she saves her people but what she does next is not something that I want to vote for!
Little ones don't carry bombs and stones and assault "their enemies"?
Sure they do if led on by adults - but is that a good reason for killing them?
Are you deader if the bomb is thrown/carried by an adult?
Nevertheless she persisted and defied the Nazis. I choose Maria over the cheerleader beauty queen.
I will never vote for Esther and I don't ever understand why she is held up as being an example to follow. In my mind, Vashti is the hero here. Esther on the other hand makes herself pleasing to the King and so is indeed able to save the lives of her people, but once she has power she encourages the King to allow those people who have been saved to kill thousands in revenge. For me, Esther is an example of much of what is wrong with our world; that when vulnerable we appeal for mercy but if the tables are turned we offer no mercy ourselves. Maria is a far, far more worthy candidate today.
Amen. Turn-about retribution is not the way forward... Grace and compassion and integrity are.
"For me, Esther is an example of much of what is wrong with our world; that when vulnerable we appeal for mercy but if the tables are turned we offer no mercy ourselves." Exactly! Thank you for expressing this so succinctly and eloquently!
I love your gravatar!
Esther — as a call out to all of us who have yet to make use of our privilege or power.
!!
Esther, because life is not simple, and when lives are on the line, the Right & the Good are hard to discern!
Many times the grey is the more reasonable way to answer a dilemma.
Torn...I voted for Maria because her story, while strikingly similar to that of Esther, takes place in events within the memory of a few still living and the collective community memory. Esther, while no less relevant, has taken on the veneer of legend; a historical technique that memorializes history without all the messy business of factual data retention. Why can't we be like the Japanese and feel most satisfied with a well-won tie. Best to all from Santa Barbara
I started reading today's blog entries thinking how can I ever choose between these two amazing women. But Maria's words “At the Last Judgment I will not be asked whether I satisfactorily practiced asceticism, nor how many bows I have made before the divine altar. I will be asked whether I fed the hungry, clothed the naked, visited the sick, and the prisoner in his jail. That is all I will be asked.” secured my vote.
I’m wondering, is this the first time a celebrity blogger has competed against herself or himself?
How do you solve a problem like Maria? She's the one for me!
I vote for Maria. Her story is inspiring and challenging, and I bet she'd be great company too. I cannot vote for a woman complicit in the slaughter of her enemies. She may have saved her people, but in doing so, opened the way for them to kill their oppressors.
We don't know if any of the Blessed Virgin Mary's ancestors were among those saved by Esther, but we do know that the more modern Maria faithfully followed in the teaching of Mary's son, and like Him was executed by an oppressive authoritarian regime.
If Christ-like-ness is a requirement for the Golden Halo, Maria should have her mug on the Lentmadess Mug soon.
Another painful choice. But I do like Maria's courage to stand up against religious authorities for the sake of discipleship. Very Jesus-like.
I really, really love the story of Esther. Both of these women chose right over convenience. But, in the end, Maria won me over. I think I am the real winner, because today I was challenged by two courageous women to never back down from my faith and beliefs.
For her clarity and stubbornness: Maria.
A vote such as this for a time such as this.
This was a tough decision. Finally went with Maria because of her willingness to oppose evil (in the form of Nazism) and her clear understanding of Jesus' call to love and serve one another above all!