In perhaps the first true resounding upset of Lent Madness 2019, Marina the Monk swept aside Dominic 62% to 38% to secure a spot in the Saintly Sixteen against Ignatius of Loyola.
In the last matchup of the first full week of the saintly season, it's Mellitus vs. Ephrem of Nisibis. Or Bishop vs. Deacon (not that we'd ever encourage the pitting of ecclesiastical orders against one another).
After a full, intense week of reading, learning, disagreeing, and hopefully being inspired, it's time for some respite from our little competition. From here on out, there will be no contests on Saturdays or Sundays. We occasionally share some weekend posts here on the website, and you can always check Facebook and Twitter for additional content, including some saintly recipes courtesy of the Lent Madness Celebrity Chef, Maria Virginia.
After today, the next vote will take place first thing Monday morning as the round of 32 continues with Tabitha vs. Dismas. In the meantime, get to it!
Mellitus
At the end of the sixth century, Augustine traveled to Britain to establish an official Christian presence in the region, although Christianity had been practiced in Britain for approximately 300 years. With the conversion and subsequent support of King Æthelberht in Kent, Augustine was consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury. Four years later, Augustine sent word to Pope Gregory I that he needed more clergy to join the mission of converting the kingdom.
Mellitus was part of this group traveling to Britain. A Roman and son of a noble family, Mellitus may have been an abbot at a monastery before he was commissioned for the trip. In 604 ce, Augustine consecrated him Bishop of London. Mellitus established the first of many churches that would be built on the site of the current St. Paul’s Cathedral. Mellitus and his fellow missionaries also brought with them books and other items needed for Christian worship. One of those books, St. Augustine’s Gospels, is still part of the Cambridge collections and is the oldest surviving Latin Gospel book.
After several years in England, Mellitus attended a council of bishops in 610 in Italy. The early church was in many ways still a loose confederacy of liturgies and practices. Mellitus supported the Roman date for Easter rather than the Celtic date (a controversy that would be decided at the Synod of Whitby some fifty years later).
When the kings who had welcomed Augustine and Mellitus died, their sons saw little political need for alliances with the Christian bishops. According to Bede, the sons wanted to taste the consecrated bread. When Mellitus refused, they exiled him to Gaul. Mellitus eventually returned to Canterbury after the death of Laurence, the second Archbishop of Canterbury, and was consecrated the third Archbishop of Canterbury.
Legend holds that a fire threatened Canterbury Cathedral, and Mellitus diverted the fire and saved the town and the cathedral with the rush of wind brought by his prayers. He died in 624. An icon honoring his ministry hangs near the American Chapel in St. Paul’s, keeping watch over a book inscribed with the names of Americans who died in World War II.
Collect for Mellitus
O God, you have brought us near to an innumerable company of angels, and to the spirits of just men made perfect: Grant us during our earthly pilgrimage to abide in their fellowship, and in our heavenly country to become partakers of their joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Ephrem of Nisibis
Ephrem, a deacon, doctor of the church, and saint greatly revered in the Syriac Christian tradition, was born around the year 300 ce in Nisibis, now part of modern-day Turkey. Most sources claim that Ephrem and his family were among the burgeoning Christian community in Nisibis, while some later traditions claim his father was a pagan priest. Regardless, Ephrem grew up in an incredibly diverse city linguistically, ethnically, and religiously—on the frontier of the Roman Empire.
Baptized as a youth, Ephrem was a part of a proto-monastic movement called “Sons and Daughters of the Covenant” (think Scouts + youth group, but way more intense). Members of the movement, both men and women, lived dedicated lives of celibacy, discipline, prayer, and service to the church from within their own homes. He would eventually be appointed a teacher and then ordained as a deacon by his bishop.
After Nisibis was conquered by the Persian Empire in the ongoing conflict between Persia and Rome, Ephrem and many of his fellow Christians settled in Edessa where they encountered even more religious and ethnical diversity. In the context of various pagan, Jewish, and Christian sects, Ephrem made an impassioned defense of Nicene orthodoxy, including writing a number of Trinitarian hymns. A prolific writer, he is known as “The Harp of the Holy Spirit,” and he supported the rise of hymns sung by choirs of women, including “From God Christ’s diety came forth” (The Hymnal 1982, #443). The female choirs gave women a role in the early Syriac church and encouraged Christian formation among women and families.
Lest we believe that Ephrem was all head and no heart in ministry, he died from exhaustion while ministering to the victims of a famine.
Collect for Ephrem of Nisibis
Pour out upon us, O Lord, that same Spirit by which your deacon Ephrem declared the mysteries of faith in sacred song, and so gladden our hearts that we, like him, might proclaim the riches of your glory; 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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166 comments on “Mellitus vs. Ephrem of Nisibis”
You had me at "choirs of women." Ephrem for the win!
Ephrem for me, because I revere the good works of deacons...and I really like saying "Nisibis"!
" and a Trinitarian"
Agree with TJMannion re: Ephrem (and JustMeJo - 'Nisibis' is quite fun to say) and how could I not... my husband is a Deacon!
Anyone who was called "Harp of the Holy Spirit" and created female choirs (proud alto here!) has got to have my vote!
OK, you got me - I must vote for folks who encourage singing in church, particularly girls & women.... though I dislike hymn #443, I am a member at Trinity-Indianapolis...
Nicene Orthodoxy, author of hymns, supporter of women, a successful evangelist in a diverse culture....AND a deacon! Mellitus' ministry is inspiring for any 21st century Christian, but especially for those discerning a call to the Diaconate.
Voted for Ephrem today, as singing in choirs is very important to us in expressing our faith. Praying for the people of Christchurch, NZ today in the tragic losses of life there by the hands of terrorists. And if that’s not dastardly Lent Madness!
Amen, Nancy.
Ephrem, of course, because I love hymns and where would we be without women in the choir
Ephrem because today especially we need to give thanks for living in communities of great diversity!
I'm voting for Mellitus. I've stood at his grave, which I can only say for a couple of people on our Calendar, so there's that. I'm also fascinated by the way that Christianity developed in England, both from the Celtic and Roman angles. It strikes me as something that has really shaped our Anglican DNA to be a via media, and I look to Mellitus' place in that mission as part of that. Again, both have something to teach and inspire me.
Interesting that so many people voted from Ephrem because he was a deacon. That’s totally neutral comment; I simply found it to be an interesting theme.
Ephrem, “The Harp of the Holy Spirit,” who supported women’s choirs, wrote Trinitarian hymns, and died caring for the victims of famine...how could I not vote for him?
As a deacon I had to vote for Ephrem
choir did it for me. Also the Syrian connection, as that country is going through such difficult times.
"diety" or "deity"?
Several years ago, I had the privilege of doing a night time candlelight walk through Canterbury Cathedral with the Dean of the Cathedral and members of my parish. It was deeply moving and I had to vote for Mellitus for helping to save this venerable center of worship. Given that Mellitus was a Roman priest, I am not surprised that he chose the Roman date of Easter over the Celtic date; nowadays, our better spirit of inclusion allows us to celebrate all the dates. I I had to vote for this Archbishop of Canterbury, but am very happy to learn about Ephrem and his choirs of women as well.
While both may have done great deeds, Mellitus and his fellows attempted to extinguish the existing Irish and British Christian churches (and suceeded). The Irish church was much more humane and not in the punitive mode of the Roman church that Mellitus represented. I believe they did great harm in the name of the church.
Yes indeed! We all would have been SO MUCH better off if they'd followed the Celtic way.
The Harp of the Holy Spirit ......’nuff said!
Two great options today, but having gone in pilgrimage to London and Canterbury within the week before my confirmation I have to go with Mellitus.
Neither of these fine folks will make it to the golden halo. I doubt they will survive the next round, but I voted for Ephrem over the Italian missionary to the English because we sing his hymn, I can even hum its curious tune from memory.
Yes! I can sing it from memory too!
"I sing a song of the saints of God"...children's choir way back when. Yes, girls in the choir. Thanks, Ephrem. You got my vote.
Mellitus diverted the fire and saved the town and Canterbury Cathedral with his prayers. Now that's my kind of prayer!!! But, I don't like the name Mellitus. So I read what comes up when you click on Laurie Brock's name. Loved it all. Had to do some real life things. When I got back to it, I scrolled down to read who wrote the blog on Ephrem. Oh yes, my favorite blogger--"Sons and Daughters of the Covenant-think scouts and youth group but way more intense." That line is SO good! Had to ponder a while. Laurie had this story about waiting, being silent and letting the real issue show itself. More real life happened. Then, Aha. I've had some negative issues with deacons. Blah, blah, blah. Now it is evening and I've voted for Ephrem of Nisibis. I like both those names. I've also prepared a fantastic dinner.
Mellitis contributed to the squelching of the Celtic understanding of Christianity at Synod of Whidbey, hiss boo. The dominance of Rome over the more egalitarian and creation-oriented Celts. Whereas Ephtem was far more inclusive as far as I can see.
Boo Hiss truly!
Hello,
Not sure how to play Lent Madness, I have been read and voting, thus far I have pick picking the winners maybe it’s just luck. My choir director gave me the book and I was intrigued and began reading and learning information about people I never knew had since an impact.
If you’re reading and voting, you’ve figured it out. Beyond that there’s no more “how to” about playing the Madness. Welcome to the community!
Ephrem today, because too often we overlook the diaconate as a critical and potentially transformative ministry in the church.
With St. Patrick's Day coming up, I can't support someone who voted against the Celtic tradition. Sorry, Mellitus! Also, Ephrem's participation in a co-ed proto-monastic order is truly cool. Finally, I admire Ephrem for ministering to famine victims. That's a tragedy that's still with us, all these years later.
I voted for Mellitus because my husband is making a pilgrimage to Canterbury cathedral this summer. Thank you for saving it for us!
After lots of real life happening today working out of the home doing study after study for Amazon Mechanical Turk all day long I finally was able to enjoy Lent Madness this evening. after dinner. This was then interrupted again by my little Pomeranian I have demanding a little more real-life action outside before I was finally able to sit down with an after-dinner cup of tea, read, ponder, enjoy and add in my own vote! For me it was Ephrem today because during the time that involvement was very much male dominated he was supportive of women becoming involved in the music ministry of the church working side by side with them as well. When I also thought about it this was also a start to their involvement in the church in general. He also died due to over-exhaustion while helping victims of a famine- showing how deeply devoted his heart was to serving Christ and helping others.
I had to go to the piano and sound out #443. I don't remember ever singing that one, and I mark up my hymnal every week noting the date for each of the hymns in our service. Funny how some made the 1982 hymnal and are not all that popular, whereas others got dropped from the 1940 hymnal and are still missed.
This was a tough choice for me, as each candidate was a courageous missionary in his own right. But I have to go with “The Harp of the Holy Spirit” today. Music is such a wonderful way of spreading the Word.