Welcome to the last battle of the week, the last matchup of the Elate Eight, and the last full week of Lent Madness 2025! Today, Philip, Deacon and Evangelist faces Nicolaus Zinzendorf as they seek to join Zechariah, Sundar Singh, and Elizabeth of Hungary in the Faithful Four.
Yes, you heard that correctly, Elizabeth of Hungary won her contest yesterday with Verena of Zurzach 67% to 33% to snag the final spot in the next round.
So, the Faithful Four is Set. On Monday, Zechariah faces Elizabeth of Hungary; on Tuesday, Sundar Singh squares off against the winner of today's matchup. And then all will be set for Spy Wednesday's Championship Round.
But first, here's your Daily Lenten Showdown...
Vote now!
Philip, Deacon and Evangelist
Philip, “lover of horses,” was a common name in the 1st century CE. Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great, was a great hero. Here is a coin with a young Philip II riding his horse (that he loved). Neat!
Philip, deacon and evangelist, enters the scene in Acts 6 when the Apostles could not be bothered to “wait on tables.” What better way to honor Philip’s table service than with this nifty apron, emblazoned with the names of the seven, er six, original deacons. I’m not sure why Nicolaus (see Acts 6:5) did not make the cut. Maybe the designer is not too keen on proselytes. Or Antiochans (they’re the worst).
But this post is about Philip. Although Philip is a key figure driving the gospel “to the ends of the earth,” it is actually pretty tricky to find religious swag for him. Stephen and Philip the Apostle get the pious tchotchkes. Fortunately, all those ancient dudes look basically the same.
Philip does have an (awful) religious song, courtesy of Bible Buddies. Sadly, I listened to it. Twice. (I had to confirm that he really did sing “Ethio-thiopian.”) The things I do for you people.
Philip’s real claim to fame is how he proclaimed the gospel with great signs and wonders. It’s makes sense that he would have a knockoff Pokemon card. I choose you, PDE! He can protect you against capital A Artifacts! He can “band” with his capital D Daughters! (Honestly, I don’t even want to know what that means.)
Still in the mood to play? How about passing some time with this sweet Philip and the Ethio(thio)pian wooden playset? It was designed by people really committed to the colorblind, merit-based system that is popular in some circles today. Or maybe they just used all their stain on the horse/unicorn.
If playing outside is more your thing, next time you head to the beach or park for a picnic, why not bring along this towel cosplaying as a rug? They say this design is “taking the internet by storm.” Maybe because in addition to being great for outdoor concerts it also makes for lovely “general home décor.”
If you, like me, are feeling underwhelmed by all this (un)holy chintz, how about we vote Philip forward to get him a mug that is worthy of his incredible witness?
Nicolaus Zinzendorf
It is impossible to separate Count Nicolaus von Zinzendorf from the Moravians Church. And it is equally impossible to separate Zinzendorf and the Moravians from Bethlehem, PA, as he was one of the founders of The Christmas City (as it is known).
Zinzendorf’s lasting marks touched many people and many things.
Read books about him and his influence, walk on the same streets that he did, read plaques about him on those streets, sing hymns he wrote, watch a video about his life, wear jewelry, visit the Moravian University hall named for him, admire and collect statues and knickknacks, and pray the prayers he penned.
But mostly, admire him and his deep spirituality.
In 1716, Zinzendorf and his school buddies founded The Order of the Mustard Seed, an ecumenical prayer movement that is still thriving, and is embraced by the Anglican Communion. The group's focus reflects Zinzendorf's lifelong commitment: "To be True to Christ; To be Kind to People; To take the Gospel to the Nations."
His pronouncements and prayers are insightful: "There can be no Christianity without community." “All of life becomes a liturgy.” “Come, Lord Jesus, our Guest to be; And bless these gifts bestowed by Thee.” “Preach the Gospel, die, and be forgotten.”
And, as society dictates, t-shirts, mugs, and wall hangings emblazon these sayings. Display a plate with his famous and much-loved prayer for meals, or wear a necklace with his visage.
With more than 200 hymns to his credit, listen and sing along with O Thou to Whose All Searching Sight here.
Visit the Moravian Book Shop, founded in 1745 and, as such, the oldest bookstore in the USA.
And then there is the Moravian Star, ubiquitous across the landscape.
Necklaces and earrings feature the Moravian Star, and, of course, a Christmas Tree ornament. Above all is the ever present electric Moravian Star that beams high atop South Mountain onto Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley.
Zinzendorf’s impact and contributions to Christianity, to Native American outreach and ministry, and to society cannot be ignored. As he lived, “I have one passion, it is He. Only He.”
50 comments on “Philip, Deacon and Evangelist vs. Nicolaus Zinzendorf”
Our family used Z's prayer, only in German. My grandfather came from Austria and lived with us and my father spoke German until age five here in the US. Z's prayer got my vote - and of course, his contribution to Moravian music.
"Come Lord, Jesus," always wins with me.
I was recently introduced to "Lent Madness" by a friend that I thank daily for doing so. It has been a revelation (pun intended): a bright spot in our more than ever troubled world, full of learning, inspiration, & mental peace inducing banter.
I was shocked & dismayed to find that the most recent entries have, suddenly & wholly unexpectedly, been reduced to a too worldly exercise in shilling for merchandise, both cheap & cheapening to my understanding of the intended outcomes. Too sad for "Lent Madness" to now be revealed as just one more con job in a world dominated by con men (persons?). I have solved the problem of insult to the Saints by returning to the original write ups to sustain the integrity of my votes ... an exercise that should not be necessary.
I went with Count Zinzendorf. His community nourished John Wesley when he needed it and played a big role in the development of the Methodist wing of Anglican/Episcopalian belief and theology.
I think this has been the best year for the kitsch round. Well done writers, and applause for David and Neva Rae. BUT… To have a real pop song written in your honour - that’s gotta be the tops! Go Philip for your work with the “Ethio-thiopian”. LOL!
My vote is for St Philip tge Deacon
I kind of like the song about Philip. Hard decision because I've voted for both of the saints up to now. But I'm really being spoken to by Nicolaus today.
Michael C. Shea -- "What the Ding Dong Daddy?" I love it and I'm going to steal it.
Oh no! Looks like Philip (lover of horses!) & father of 4 daughters--all prophets--is losing.
I really ought to vote for Philip, his contribution to the larger Church greater than almost anyone else in the bracket this year, but Zinzendorf hasn’t been in a Lent Madness before and I really want him to win! Golden halo for Lititz! (And Bethlehem, of course)!
Voted for Phillip the first time and am sticking to my original choice, with all due respect to Nicolaus, an admirable candidate. David Creech, your finds and commentary were delightfully presented. . .you get a bronze halo for finding this kitsch!
I am in love with David Creech!!! Please don't ever stop doing LM! You are too much fun - I must admit however that probably Nic should have received my vote but who could pass up the great writing of Mr. C !
Aw shucks! Thanks for all the kind comments! Go team Philip!
This doesn't have to do with the vote, just want to say that the little pictures where you are supposed to find a bike or a bus or a crosswalk to vote are incredibly annoying and hard to see, sometimes even with a magnifying glass. I just went through six sets of crosswalks and must have been missing one every time. Isn't there another way to figure out if we are bots?
I liked Zinzendorf's Order of the Mustard Seed and am going to have to look at the video on his life as well. His comment on "all of life being a liturgy" was a little bit hard to take in a way. But it also was a little bit of a wake-up about how our daily lives, and our thoughts, words, deeds, and actions toward others can show others Christ and what he was about, or not. As well as even enticing them to want to come, or to become a part of our church or denomination or not. IE- Someone visiting may think to themselves, "I like what I see on Sunday and I feel accepted here, but how genuine is it?" Or they may be thinking "how well does what we have all heard on Sunday carry over into the week for people?"
I've been playing LM for years and this year is the most non-voting due to not being able to choose between two awesome choices. I was going to abstain again, but the cute little country song swayed me to vote for Phillip. Love live the kitsch!
I won’t lie. I voted for Phillip because he teleported.
I added one point to Philip's collection.
I still want to know why I'm not receiving the LM messages until late in the day. Today was about 7:15 pm! LM is much more fun with morning coffee!
With all the great merch and kitsch this week, I have to give a shout out to our associate rector, Megan McDermott, who has a delightful poetry collection called “Jesus Merch: a Catalog in Poems,” inspired primarily by the Oriental Trading catalog. Her take on these goodies can be both funny and profound, and is well worth a read.