Congratulations! You survived the first battle of Lent Madness 2023. Of course, the same cannot be said for Hippolytus of Rome who was trounced by Augustine of Hippo 80% to 20%, to become the first saint to punch his ticket to the Saintly Sixteen.
Today in Lent Madness action it's Florence Li Tim-Oi, the first woman to be ordained a priest in the Anglican Communion, facing off against Nicolaus von Zinzendorf, a Moravian whose name is just too fun to say.
And don't forget, tomorrow is the ONE AND ONLY Saturday matchup of Lent Madness, as Olga of Kiev takes on Bertha of Kent.
Finally, if you want to find out when your favorite saint will be up in the bracket, click (and maybe even print out) this year's Matchup Calendar.
Now go vote!
Florence Li Tim-Oi
Florence Li Tim-Oi (last name Li, given name Tim-Oi, chosen name Florence) was the first woman priest ordained in the Anglican Communion. When she was born in Hong Kong in 1907, people generally preferred sons over daughters, but her parents gave her a name meaning “much-beloved daughter.” Li Tim-Oi joined the Anglican church and chose the name Florence at her baptism in honor of Florence Nightingale. Like her namesake, Florence Li Tim-Oi provided care and healing to many through her ministry.
Florence studied at Union Theological College in what is now known as Guangzhou, China. While attending an English woman’s ordination as a deaconess, Florence felt a call and prayed to God that she also be ordained. Ordained a deaconess in 1941, Florence was sent to an Anglican church in Macau, a Portuguese territory with many Chinese refugees from the second Sino-Japanese war. Although she was not allowed to celebrate the eucharist, she ministered to the surrounding community in every other way: performing marriages, baptisms, and funerals, feeding the hungry, counseling the lost, and offering encouragement and hope through their shared faith.
Seeing a situation that called for a radical solution, Hong Kong Bishop Ronald Hall ordained Florence to the priesthood in 1944 in a neutral location in China. Although Bishop Hall is quoted as saying that Florence had developed a man-like charism for the priesthood, the fact remains that he ordained her. As was and is often the case, women get opportunities when men cannot be present. The result is that Florence was an ordained priest 50 years before the Anglican Communion recognized women priests.
After World War II ended and controversy around her ordination ensued, Florence decided not to exercise her priesthood until the Anglican Communion recognized her ordination. When Maoism rose in China, churches closed. Florence was persecuted, forced to cut up her vestments, and sent for “re-education” and work on a farm. Eventually, she was able to leave China and moved to Canada in 1983 to be an honorary assistant at St. John’s Chinese congregation and St. Matthew’s in Toronto. Since the Anglican Church of Canada allowed the ordination of women, Li’s ordination was reinstated in 1984, 40 years after the original date. We celebrate the feast of Florence on January 24, the eve of her ordination.
Collect for Florence Li Tim-Oi
Almighty God, who pours out your Spirit upon your sons and daughters: Grant that we, following the example of your servant Florence Li Tim-Oi, chosen priest in your church, may with faithfulness, patience, and tenacity proclaim your holy gospel to all the nations, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
Nicolaus von Zinzendorf
While his name may not roll off the lips of American Protestants, Count Nicolaus von Zinzendorf is a key religious figure who engaged in strong missionary work to the enslaved, Indigenous peoples, and German-speaking emigrants. Nicolaus was an author, a leader in the ecumenical movement, and a prolific hymnist, with many of his 2,000 hymns translated into other languages and still sung today. He is a renewer of the Moravian Church, which is in full communion with the Episcopal Church.
Nicolaus was born May 26, 1700, in Dresden, Germany, to a titled and wealthy life. His spirituality was apparent early on; as a youngster, he wrote letters to Jesus. In 1716, while studying law at the University of Wittenberg, Zinzendorf was inspired by Domenico Feti’s painting Ecce Homo, depicting Christ crucified. “I have loved him for a long time, but I have never actually done anything for him,” he expressed. “From now on I will do whatever he leads me to do.”
Nicolaus was ordained in the Lutheran church but always strove for an ecumenical, Protestant movement. During this time, the Moravian Church, Unitas Fratrum (United Brethren), experienced a rebirth among the exiled community, and Nicolaus began his leadership of the church. By 1732, his Moravian settlement had grown to more than 600 members.
Throughout his life, Nicolaus promoted personal relationships with God and believed that all tasks, no matter how routine or dull, are a form of worship. “All of life becomes a liturgy,” Nicolaus said. Under Nicolaus, the Moravians focused on missionary work, starting in the Caribbean and then Africa, Asia, and South America. In 1739, he joined the missionaries in the Caribbean. From there, he traveled to the United States, meeting with Benjamin Franklin and leaders of the Delaware, Shawnee, Iroquois, and Mohican nations, the only European nobleman known to expressly meet with Indigenous chiefs.
In 1741, Nicolaus visited Pennsylvania, arriving on Christmas Day, inspiring the group to name the area “Bethlehem.” After years of dedicated missionary work, Nicolaus returned to Germany in 1749. He died on May 9, 1760. His feast day is May 9 in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Collect for Nicolaus von Zinzendorf
Almighty God, whose will it is to be glorified in your saints, and who raised up your servant Nicolas to be a light in the world: Shine, we pray, in our hearts, that we also in our generation may show forth your praise, who called us out of darkness into your marvelous light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Florence Li Tim-Oi: Wikimedia Commons
Nicolaus von Zinzendorf: Balthasar Denner, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
163 comments on “Florence Li Tim-Oi v. Nicolaus von Zinzendorf”
Nicholas Von Zinzendorf worked in the area of the US not far from where I grew up, and the name of the Moravian Church was not new to me. I don't think he'll win this contest, but I need to vote local in his case.
FYI,
Having trouble voting on iPad again. Worked yesterday but not today. iPhone worked OK.
Nicolaus sounds like a good man. I love that he wrote letters to Jesus as a child. I’ve no doubt that he followed his conscience in bringing the Gospel to indigenous peoples. (And I do love saying his name.)
On the other hand, I like that Florence Tim-Oi was ministering to her own people (although Christianity was brought to Hong Kong by white outsiders). I liked that she persisted in her faith despite persecution and “re-education.” She must have been a patient woman, waiting all those years to live out her vocation as a priest again. She sounds inspiring. I voted for her.
And another troucing ensues... With which I'm in wholehearted agreement. I'm not big into the missionizing of indigenous peoples (and that's not a recently formed opinion). I don't condemn the Count for it, but I'm not voting for him, either.
Plus, I live in a town called Florence, so...
I forsee a long run for Florence!
This was a tough one! With my reformed background I was strongly drawn to Nicolaus. However, I have a daughter serving as a missionary with OMF, originally CIM (China Inland Mission). While my daughter is serving in Japan, I do understand and fully support the Chinese mission. In the end my vote went to Tim-Oi
Nicholas is a wonderful person and I really like his idea that all work is praise to God, but Florence... the Golden Halo is her's!
Heart-Breaker Match-Up: want to vote for both of them.
My choice: Zinzendorf.
Apart from the communion between Episcopalians and Moravians,
I have many personal connections with the Moravians.
Read the "Losungen" (Moravian Daily Texts) in German.
Have friends there, spent time in Bethlehem PA and Winston-Salem NC,
even traveled 1992 to Herrnhut in Germany, visited Nicolaus's grave after the country was put back together ...
I will add: one of my very dear clergy mentors commented: Liturgically I'm Episcopalian; in my heart I'm Lutheran ... (8-)=) No surprise !
“All of life becomes a Liturgy.” I needed to hear this today!
Yesterday I didn't want to vote for either. Today I wanted to vote for both. Such is the madness in Lent Madness....
True! It's comforting to know that they are both saints.
Bummer for von Zinzendorf to draw an oriental woman priest as his opponent.
As usual, both are amazing.
Two inspiring candidates, but I had to vote for Tim-Oi. Women who pave the way in our world have been relegated to minor status for too long.
Francis Li Tim-Oi is going to run away with it today. It's not just the historic fact that she is the first ordained female of the Anglican faith, but she also endured extraordinary trials because of her faith. She is a role model to the extreme.
Oh I want both to continue on!! but Tim-oi Rcvd my vote.
I wish these two were paired together. Both were special; however I had to vote for Florence as I know her progress was hampered by her gender.
Another hard one. Wish I could vote for both. I chose Frances for her humility in lying down her ordination (but not her ministry) for a time.
A tough choice only because Nicolaus von Zinzendorf wrote the hymntext "Jesus still lead on" (set to the tune "St. Hubert") which we sang often at the Colgate Rochester Divinity School when I was a seminarian there from 1982-1985... but Florence Li Tim-Oi wins my heart and the day for she truly did the Lord's work in a remarkable way during her life time.
It's not just a female leaning. Florence represents a life of service despite obstacles.
Much as I admire Nicholas (I especially liked the fact that when he was yet a youngster he wrote letters to Jesus) and his dedicated service, my vote goes to Florence Li Tim-Oi. She served God in difficult, difficult circumstances, and I have yet to see a photo of the Rev. Florence in which she is not showing the world that beatific smile. I pray Florence makes it all the way to the Golden Halo.
This was a more difficult challenge than I anticipated. Learning about Florence Li Tim-Oi and her service, she seemed an obvious choice. However, I also feel "All of Life is a Liturgy." Add to that, my birthday falls on May 9th, my father's ancestral line lived near Wittenberg. I am so inspired by learning about the lives of both of these saints. I'm going to see if I can find more information.
If we could all live, even if just for this Lenten season, as Nicklaus von Zizendorf, I believe our walk would become more interesting and serving of God’s passion and not our own.
“All of life becomes a liturgy,”
(Also, once again someone ordained as a Lutheran minister goes forth and changes the world.)
(Though Luther himself was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest and was an Augustinian friar.) Fun fact: the Friars Club doesn't actually have friars, though perhaps comedy changes the world.
Thanks for your delightful limericks, John & to the SEC for this Lenten gift!
Really thought I'd end up voting for Florence (not least because a dear friend is currently serving in Hong Kong), but Nicolaus connected with me in surprising ways. Many similar to what others have mentioned from his letters to Jesus as a child to the "all of life becomes liturgy" to standing out remarkably differently while on similar paths others trod (and trampled more harshly or poorly). Plus I love voting for the underdog.
Still, what I think perhaps caught my attention most was Bethlehem and Brethren. I'm just a few hours from there and, while I don't believe there's any direct connection, my own church history is connected to brethrens of German descent.
(We are also "United Brethren"—UBIC—the first denomination birthed in the US and unique in that we began when a Mennonite and a German Reformed realized that despite their very differing theologies, backgrounds, educations, personalities and even statures, they were "brethren" in Christ! And I really can't explain why further but Nic Z's story really connected with me and our story!)
I tried to vote for Florence, but my computer does not want to read my vote -
But today's match up pairs two wonderful saints, neither of whom I'd met before - Thank you for introducing me to wonderful men and women of faith, at a time when I need spiritual renewal . . .
Yesterday was a good day for "none of the above" and today is a good day for "both of them". Such is the Madness.
It's good to be back!
This is the toughest matchup in YEARS. I have to say “go Flo” but Zinzy is so compelling!
Both Mother Florence and Father Nicholas are stunning examples of Christianity. I voted for Florence the breaker of what might be called the Golden Ceiling of of ordination. I'm sure she inspired other women to reach the priesthood.
Your limericks are growing on me, Cabot!
Nicolas bon Zinzendorf offered sanctuary to persecuted Christians groups. The emphasis was on community, tolerance, love. Remember Europe as bloodbath over religious arguing as well as territorial aggression.
As I began reading about today's saints, I thought the choice would really be difficult. Both candidates lived out their beliefs by ministering to peoples around the world. They are still touching thousands of lives in the 21st century. How can one lift up one above the other by checking one little box on a ballot?
As much as I wanted to support my sister minister, von Zinzendorf had me at, "All life becomes a liturgy." I truly believe that we are called to live a life of constant prayer and worship. The sacred is found in daily life and in thankfulness and joy we spread God's truth, love and compassion in every word we speak and every action we take. Praise God!!