Well, folks, we've run out of letters of the alphabet. So for the remainder of the Round of 32 we'll be catching some ZZZZs with the next three battles pitting Z vs. Z. We kick things off with Katharina Zell taking on Zenaida. Reformer vs. early Christian.
On Friday, in a hotly contested battle, Zechariah snuck past Yvette of Huy 52% to 48% to advance to the Saintly Sixteen.
Look for a BRAND NEW Monday Madness video from Christian and Michael later today. And in the meantime...
Vote now!
Katharina Zell
Sure, you’ve heard of Martin Luther. You might have even heard of Philip Melanchthon, Martin Bucer, or Johannes Bugenhagen.
But what about Katharina Schütz Zell?
Nicknamed the “Mother Reformer,” Katharina was one of the most prominent women of the Protestant Reformation, a prolific writer, and one of the first and most daring models of the pastor’s wife.
She was born around 1498 in Strasbourg, in what is now France, where she lived her whole life and attended St. Lawrence Cathedral. A year after Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the Castle Church door in Wittenberg, Germany, a new pastor named Matthew Zell took charge of the cathedral and began sharing Luther’s teachings. Katharina not only adopted those teachings; she married the pastor.
This was a controversial move, coming years before Luther himself married. Newlyminted Protestants believed clergy were free to marry—in theory. But to do so was heretical in the Catholic Church, and there were no examples to look to.
The Zells’ marriage was a remarkably equal partnership at a time when wives were expected to be silent and obedient. (The Protestant Reformation didn’t change everything.) Katharina viewed it as a vocation. Scholar Elsie McKee writes, “Katharina Schütz was convinced that she was called to marry Matthew Zell as an expression of her faith in God and her love for others.” The couple had two children, both of whom died very young.
Katharina’s vocation also included hosting prominent Reformers and other Protestant refugees forced to flee religious persecution, and writing pamphlets essential in spreading the Reformers’ message. Her best-known work was an open letter– turned–pamphlet titled “Defending Clerical Marriage.”
Luther was personally familiar with Katharina’s writing. Bucer called her “as Godfearing and courageous as a hero,” and Huldrych Zwingli said of her, “She combines the graces of both Mary and Martha.”
But not everybody admired her outspokenness, and the pastor who succeeded her husband in Strasbourg derided her as a “disturber of the peace of the church.” Katharina wrote, “I am convinced that if I agreed with our preachers in everything I would be called the most pious and knowledgeable woman born in Germany. But since I disagree I am called an arrogant person and, as many say (perjoratively), Doctor Katharina.”
The Mother Reformer died on September 5, 1562, and The Episcopal Church remembers her on the day of her death.
Collect for Katharina Zell
Almighty God, whose servant Katharina Zell toiled for the reform of your church both in word and in deed: Fill us with the wisdom to speak out in defense of your truth, with love for you and for our neighbor, that we may serve you and welcome all your people with a mother’s heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Zenaida
Zenaida and her sister Philonella are honored on April 14 as the first Christian physicians to practice after Luke the Evangelist. Together with Hermione, the three women claim the title, “The Mothers of Modern Medicine.” Zenaida’s story is one of self-determination, collaboration, and pious generosity.
Zenaida and her sister were born in first-century Tarsus to a well-educated Jewish family. The two sisters pursued education in philosophy and medicine in their hometown. Their cousin Paul was an Apostle, and their brother Jason was the first local bishop, evidence of strong familial call to follow Jesus. At some point, both sisters converted to the Christian faith and were baptized. Zenaida and her sister used the blessing of their education to bless others.
In nearby Thessaly, there was a hot spring known for its healing properties. Pagan adherents had established many shrines there to Asclepius, the god of healing. People in search of healing traveled to the area to pay for medical interventions and buy magical amulets and charms. Due to the high cost of care, most visitors to the area were wealthy. Zenaida and her sister packed up their lives and moved permanently to Thessaly to establish a different, more egalitarian kind of healing ministry.
The sisters set up a chapel and medical clinic; there, they offered medical services free of charge to everyone in need. They were the first “unmercenary” saints—doctors who did not accept payment for their services. Instead, they urged their clients to pray in thanksgiving to God. Zenaida specialized in pediatrics and psychiatric healthcare, especially depression. Unlike others in the area, the three women approached their vocation from a counter-culturally scientific angle, striving to separate factual medicine from superstition as best they could. They wove prayer into every aspect of their work, healing not only bodies but also souls.
The two sisters worked together for their entire lives, running their medical center and welcoming all in need. Their ministry attracted travelers from all over the region. Tales abound regarding the ends of their lives, so their fate is shrouded in mystery. Some claim that Zenaida and Philonella suffered martyrdom, being stoned to death by a mob. Others claim that Zenaida lived a long life, dying peacefully before her sister, who carried on their legacy. Still others claim Zenaida died by stepping on a nail.
Regardless of their ends, the sisters’ legacy is profound. To this day, they are venerated as feminist icons in medicine. By subverting the healthcare economics of their time, Zenaida and Philonella offer to modern Christians inspiration for reimagining our own medical systems.
Collect for Zenaida
Merciful God, whose most dear Son came to heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out demons, and preach good news to the poor: Lead us by the example of your servants, Zenaida, Philonella, and Hermione, to freely give even as we have freely received; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
64 comments on “Katharina Zell vs. Zenaida”
And we are still trying to separate superstition from factual medicine today.
This was a tough one. Some previous choices were hard because both saints seemed either mythical or slightly sketchy. This one pitted two heroic women and I wish both could advance. Thanks for bringing them to us!
A 16th century married couple -- one of whom happened to be an ordained pastor -- who shared an equal and mutually supportive calling to serve God and love and care for others?
A first century doctor who, with her sister physicians, provided universal health care without regard to making a profit?
What's not to admire about either of them?
I voted for Katharina Zell since she's behind in votes, but will happily support Zenaida if she advances.
This is a tough choice! I went with Katharina Zell. I like her confidence and sass. I am reminded that Anne Hutchinson was banished from the Mass Bay Colony because she had the nerve to have a group of women assemble in her home for Bible study and to share her belief that God spoke directly to individuals, not just through minister. Her husband was stripped of a large grant of farmland in Quincy.
Go Zenaida!! She was so caring and helped the poor.
Yikes. The "captcha" won't work, so my vote won't "take". Alternatively, I don't want the system to think I'm trying to vote multiple times.
This is a tough one, today. Defense of clerical marriage v excellent, free healthcare, based in science. In honor of my best friend from high school,a compassionate doctor, I vote for Zenaida
Tough decision today!!
Due to the lack of boys at my small parish, I was an acolyte in my youth when girls were not allowed. I thank Katharina and my vote today goes to her.
What a challenging choice for me today - Zenaida and her sister turning the practice of medicine back to a service, a calling from a business model speaks strongly to me. I was a woman finishing nursing school when Medicare came into being - seeming to be a wonderful blessing and turning medical care into big business.
And Katharina Zell speaks to me as a strong woman speaking, writing and sharing her truth about Christ and the church - how these women are still needed and so important today!
Such a tough choice today, as so many comments note! I had to go with Katharina Zell for her feisty comments to male power (plus I'm married to a pastor, who, thankfully, is totally supportive of MY outspokenness). I recommend the book "Women Reformers of Early Modern Europe" edited by K. Stjerna, which includes a chapter on Zell. Here's a link to my review of the book: https://praytellblog.com/index.php/2024/01/24/brief-book-review-women-reformers-of-early-modern-europe/
While I admire Zenaida and her sisters, I vote for Katharine because I feel a kinship with what she went through. If I agreed completely with my current rector, I would be able to use my gifts from God in the church. But since I disagree on several things, I am unable to use my gifts in the church. It hasn't stopped me from using them, I just have to do it outside my church community.
Aha, another "arrogant" "uppity" woman. History repeats infinitely...
As a psychologist working in a psychiatric hospital for 30 years, I had to vote for Zenaida.
All those in favor of healthcare reform, vote for Zanaida!
What an impossible choice, and how sad to have to boot one of them out of the competition when other less-worthy saints have advanced because of the eccentricities of the match-up (and all match-ups have had their eccentricities; this isn’t a critique of this year’s system; I’m enjoying the random alphabetical approach as much as the cleverness of previous year’s pairings).
I went with Katharina Zell because she’s behind in votes, but am so inspired to learn about both.
Zell: Outspoken female reformer and writer in an age when the culture said women should be uneducated, meek, and silent; plus her courage in marrying a priest when that was radical and speaking out when her local priest thought she should be silent. We could use her courage and conviction today!
Zenaida: Medicine and healing for all, not just for the wealthy, delivered in a caring prayerful manner. We have the most rapacious, unethical, and broken healthcare system amongst wealthy nations. We need the Zenaida model of healthcare.
Two great saints to start the week!
I don't understand why we're recognizing Zenaida and not her sister, Phionella, and Hermione. It seems all three did the same thing.
Most of these are easy choices for me, but not this one. I did have to go with the doctor & her free clinic, Zenaida
As usual when I am equally impressed or unimpressed by both, I voted for the one who has fallen behind. Good choices today!
My vote went to Kathrina Zell although it was a toss up as both candidates for the Golden Halo are amazingly strong, faithful and gracious women. Made choosing just one candidate to progress to the next round was harder than usual. Wish I could have voted for both...as well as Zenaida's sister, Philonella.
This was a tough one. Both challenged the status quo in their own ways for the benefit of womankind and us all. But after receiving two baffling and exorbitant cost estimates from our hospital & insurance company in less than a week,I have to go with Zenaida. Not that I think healers should go unpaid,but more of Zenaida's practice of offering quality treatment in exchange for an price that is affordable to the patient--bartering value for value, if you will--seems more in line with what God hopes of us.
I think this has been one of the most difficult choices between 2 first round saints. March Madness indeed! But as a clergywoman who has been called a few names, I voted for Katharina.
Won’t take my vote for Zenaida. Every time it keeps asking for captcha again. Hope she makes it through.
Hazel Gerber said: I don't understand why we're recognizing Zenaida and not her sister, Phionella, and Hermione. It seems all three did the same thing.
We're recognizing Zenaida because her name starts with Z. I very much doubt that Phionella and Hermione are jealous or resentful!
SEC: PLEASE fix the reply function.
Zenaida and her sister had to take a long journey when they moved to Thessaly to open their clinic because Thessaly is not "nearby" Tarsus. It's in central Greece, whereas Tarsus is in south central Turkey.
Loved reading about Katharina Zell (you go, girl), but in the end, I had to vote for Zenaida (and her co-healers).
The charm of Lent Madness has been the low-key quirkiness of Tim and Scott.
As a daughter of a physician, I voted for Zenaida!
Oh, no! Katharine Zell is losing? I love her spunk and desire to speak her mind! And she’s spot on in saying that she would have been lauded if she’d kept quiet and been demure, not disagreeing with the men.
Hard choice today among strong women committed to their faith and work. But I have to go with Zenaida. She set a model for healing available to all, which e must deeply consider in light of the U.S. for profit system.
Wow! Two amazing choices. But I had to go with Zenaida. Her scientific approach and providing credit to those who could not pay especially resonates today
I wanted to vote for both of these strong and faithful women, but I am mindful of the one person, one vote rule. As a nurse practitioner, I have ended up with Zenaida, but also admire Katharina for speaking her mind and standing up for women and clerical marriage.
Unfortunately, the voting mechanism will not allow me to vote today, so please tally my vote for Zenaida. And dear SEC...please get some IT wizard to fix the website! So many of us who have played for years have never had such problems as we have this year!