It's the very last battle of the Round of 32! We'll be on to the Saintly Sixteen tomorrow. But today it's the last of the Zs as Nicolaus von Zinzendorf faces Zita of Tuscany.
Yesterday, Lucy Yi Zhenmei defeated Agatha Lin Zhao 63% to 37% to advance to the next round.
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Nicolaus von Zinzendorf
Joining other notable places like The Great Wall of China; the Cathedral of Notre-Dame and the Eiffel Tower; the Acropolis; the Virgin Mary’s House in Ephesus, Turkey; Stonehenge and Canterbury Cathedral; the Statue of Liberty; and the Grand Canyon, the Moravian Church Settlement Buildings in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, were recently named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is thanks to Count Nicolaus von Zinzendorf.
When the American author James Fenimore Cooper was researching Cultural details for his great novel, The Last of the Mohicans, he turned to the tomes amassed by the Moravians, based on their witness to Indigenous Natives. This is thanks to Zinzendorf. When the well-known prayer—Come, Lord Jesus, our Guest to be; And bless these gifts bestowed by Thee—is oft recited before meals, this is thanks to Zinzendorf. When visiting the celebrated Christmas City—Bethlehem, Pennsylvania—or Moravian University located there, this is thanks to Zinzendorf.
Count Nicolaus von Zinzendorf was a founder of the Moravian Church, which is in full communion with the Episcopal Church. He was born into a wealthy, titled family in Dresden, Germany, on May 26, 1700. After an extensive education that included law studies at the University of Wittenberg, he turned his back to privilege and embraced a life committed to Jesus.
Ordained in the Lutheran church, Zinzendorf irked many in 1727 when he offered outreach to religious exiles in Europe. He studied the writings of leading theologians and focused on the Moravian Church, Unitas Fratrum (United Brethren). His dedicated efforts and leadership sparked a renewal of that church. His contributions to Christ-like missionary efforts and Christian prayers and hymns cannot be understated. His outreach focused on slaves, Indigenous peoples, and German-speaking immigrants in this country.
While a missionary in the Caribbean in 1739, Zinzendorf traveled to the now–United States, where he became the only European nobleman known to expressly meet Indigenous chiefs.
In 1741, Zinzendorf visited Pennsylvania, arriving on Christmas Day on the shores of the Lehigh River. He then named the community, which remains a thriving area, “Bethlehem.”
Zinzendorf returned to Germany and died on May 9, 1760. At the time of his death, a remarkable 226 Moravian missionaries had been sent out, thanks to his lifelong efforts.
Collect for Nicolaus von Zinzendorf
God of new life in Christ: We remember the bold witness of your servant Nicolaus 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 praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Zita of Tuscany
If you have ever lost your keys, you may have prayed for intercession from St. Anthony, but devoted key-finders know that if you need a true expert, you call on Zita of Tuscany for help. Patron saint of maids and domestic servants, Zita was born in Florence to a poor family in 1212. She is remembered for her unflinching humility, generosity, and piety.
Zita began working for the wealthy Fatinelli family when she was little more than a child. She dutifully fulfilled her tasks out of a sense of piety, not toward her employers, but toward God. Zita woke up hours earlier than others to attend daily mass, and saw her daily work as a penance and an act of service to God. Her pious and diligent attitude won her some popularity in the household, but as so often happens to earnest do gooders, also led to jealousy, cynicism, and derision. Other household members shunned her, even subjecting her to verbal abuse and beatings. No matter the circumstances, however, Zita’s diligence was unflagging. By remaining firmly rooted in her faith, she found the strength to endure.
Eventually, her hard work and patience were rewarded with a promotion. As housekeeper, she wielded her newfound power with Christ-like aplomb, and tales of her piety began to spread throughout the region. Zita remembered her roots in poverty and gave most of her money away, to the point of true sacrifice.
Zita of Tuscany is associated with many stories of generosity. When she traveled outside the estate to visit the sick and bring bread to the poor, she extended an offer of hospitality to any women in need of dinner and shelter.
Another story recounts a time when a servant reported her for stealing from the Fatinelli family to give their items to the poor. A family member tracked her down on one of her trips, and her apron was full of things to give away. Furious, the Fatinelli asked her what she was carrying; Zita dropped her apron, revealing nothing but fronds and flowers.
If you want to visit this remarkable thirteenth century woman, you are in luck. Zita is one of the “incorruptible” saints whose body is displayed in miraculously preserved condition. You can visit her at the Basilica of San Frediano in Lucca, Italy.
Collect for Zita of Tuscany
Merciful God, who has given to us all things necessary for life and godliness; Grant that we, like your servant Zita, may be faithful in the exercise of our duties and that, whatever you give us to do, we may do it heartily to you for the honor and glory of your Name; through him who has called us to virtue, Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.
63 comments on “Nicolaus von Zinzendorf vs. Zita of Tuscany”
Although I consider myself an Episcopalian (member of Trinity Church in Statesville NC and often watch the services streamed from the Washington National Cathedral), the Episcopal church is not big on the western side of Nicaragua where I live, and I have spent 30 years attending a Moravian church. How could I not vote for Zinzendorf? He himself did not come to Nicaragua, but when the missionaries arrived from Old Salem in the 1800's, the first thing they did was build schools so the people would be able to read the Scriptures.
Another tough choice - do I vote for the man who gave up privilege and wealth to serve God, or do I vote for the humble servant who, although poor herself, helped others as her service to God?
In the end, with all due respect to Nicolaus, and with thanksgiving for his works of piety, I voted for Zita. Many years ago I was the volunteer co-ordinator at the local distribution centre that supplied something like 300 or more food banks in my part of the world. For the most part the volunteers were people who were not able, for a variety of reasons, to hold down paying jobs and they used food banks to eke out their meagre social assistance budgets. I learned from them that those who have the least are those who give the most. A valuable lesson never to be forgotten. So,to all the Zitas I have known and loved, thank you. This one's for you.
I voted for Count von Zed. While Zita sounds very sweet, her story borders too much on countless others with patient wives, falsely accused virgins, and women’s cloaks filled with roses. All that is very nice. But I am for the hard, patient work of mission and renewal. Reformed Christianity can be a mixed bag. But von Zed appears to be the real deal. We need all the saints we can get to combat the heresy of Christian nationalism. We need brotherhood, collective action, and a commitment to the poor and dispossessed as essential members of community.
Our third grade voted for Zita because we loved the story of her apron and the flowers!!!
I know the Moravians do incredible peacemaking work all around the world, and as my nieces are Alaskan natives, I have a special fondness for those folks who help the indigenous people of the world. So I'm voting for Nick.
I am enchanted by the profound influence Zita had through her faithfulness to Christ in such ordinary settings. My vote goes to Zita in thanksgiving for all those who quietly follow Jesus.
Growing up with a Lutheran heritage we always prayed "Come Lord Jesus be our guest, let these gifts to us be blessed".Now I know where it originated.
Fronds and flowers won me over.
A real tough one today! Although I love both of these people of "faith" and the fact that they both remembered the poor, especially Nicolaus remembering slaves, I thought a long while before voting. I have to go with Zita...for some reason, she pulled my heart strings being poor and being a servant and doing her tasks with "full faith" in God.
As a point of correction, Zizendorf didn’t found the Moravian church. It was founded in 1457 by followers of Jan Hus. This actually makes them the oldest of all Protestant movements— older than Luther and 100 years before Henry VIII…
Zizendorf is credited for a Moravian revival. But he’s not the founder…
The missionaries to the unchurched always get my vote.
Had to go with Rev.Z - the Moravians built a deep, rich musical tradition here in the U.S. which is one of our American cultural treasures.
I grew up in the Church of the Brethren in Missouri. Our German ancestors settled in Pennsylvania in the early 1700’s. Our version of the meal blessing went like this-
Come Lord Jesus
Be our guest
All this food for us be blest, Amen
I liked both of those bios. While both seem worthy of moving on, Zinzendorf is a particularly fun name to say, and so I voted for him.
Now I will look up the Moravian Church to learn a little more about out it.
Zita, for her humility and help for the poor.
At age 74, I realized my retirement income wasn't enough. Took a job as a grocery cashier in a neighborhood where many use EBT cards to pay for food. I learned quickly that grocery lines are a great place to witness small acts of charity to strangers. I also learned that people with humble jobs are treated rudely and dismissively by some. Zita endured beatings and deceit from her jealous fellow servants, yet never lost her faith or devotion to acts of service. I will remember her daily as a role model.
Nicolaus's ministry was important but so is a clean place to live and food on the table. Today I voted for Zita, for the ones who haul, cook, sweep, scrub, and bake to the glory of God & for the good of others.
I had to go with Zita in honor of my Tuscan grandparents from around Lucca.
I admire the good work Zita did, but the whole preserving & displaying of corpses practice makes me shudder. So, I'll go with the rich guy who turned from his privileged upbringing to help people--many of whom were voiceless. Good saint Nicolaus.
Both are incredibly inspiring choices, as always.
These two provide quite a contrast. Nicolaus van Zinzendorf was a German Protestant born into a prominent family during the Age of Enlightenment. He was highly educated and well traveled. Zita of Tuscany was born into a humble family in the Middle Ages and spend her life as a domestic servant. However, despite her humble status she became noted for her good works, venerated after her death, and eventually canonized as a saint.
What they have in common was piety and good works. It's hard to say one was better than the other. They both made the most of what they had been given. What Zita did was amazing considering her humble status. But if I must choose I'll vote for Zinzendorf, who used his gifts to create a remarkable legacy.
I recommend reading the 1727 Brotherly Agreement of the Brethren from Bohemia and Moravia and The Moravian Covenant for Christian Living, which evolved from that 1727 document.
Zinzendorf worked with persecuted Protestant refugees of various denominations to whom he had given refuge on his estate. The concentration of different beliefs had produced intense conflict. Zinzendorf visited each home for prayer, then called together the men of the village to study scripture, pray, and determine how they could live together in Christian community. As a result, the Moravian Church became one of the few Christian denominations that emphasizes a code of Christian behavior over specific creeds.
Zinzendorf also used his personal and familial relation to the court of Denmark and to King Christian VI to facilitate the first large scale Protestant missionary movement. Within 30 years, the church sent hundreds of Christian missionaries to many parts of the world, including the Caribbean, North and South America, the Arctic, Africa, and the Far East. They were the first Protestants to send lay people as missionaries and to minister to slaves.
Two lovely people, each deserving the vote. I gave my vote to Zita today. It's women's history month and with an attack on her honesty, I felt annoyed and frustrated on her behalf. I could at least offer my vote.
I have never seen so many Z-s on anything!
Sadly, it was not noted than Zinzendorf encouraged equal education for male and female Moravian missionaries and sent out both men and women into the mission field. I am not completely certain of this information, but it seems I remember that a nobleman living in Prague offered safety to Moravian exiles waiting for passage to the New World.
I have the deepest respect and love for Zinzendorf, his missions, and the Moravians, but my vote will go to the humble and obscure lover of the poor, Zita. And I hope she'll find my keys for me next time I lose them!
Both of today's candidates are historically interesting. I admire von Zinzendorf's work in the U.S. but Zita faced more danger in her situation. I voted for Zita.
Zita my choice. Humble, prayerful, honest, serving the vulnerable and marginalized.
Nicholas also made many contributions to many places around the globe. What I most admired about him was his missionary work in the Caribbean.
I briefly misplaced my car keys yesterday, and so I voted for Zita today!
After Bethlehem (PA) the Count visited Lititz, just north of Lancaster and a 20-minute drive from us. They have preserved the houses of the Moravian colony, and docents will show you through any time of year, though it’s particularly special around Christmas. The school they founded for girls is still there, still for girls, and when you’re finished the tour, stop in the pretzel factory and learn how the first hard pretzels were developed and marketed! All that plus a kinship with the Mennonites mean I must vote for Count Zinzendorf!
I voted for Nicolaus because of a family tradition of making Moravian Christmas cookies.
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