Our march to the Golden Halo continues as Sundhar Singh takes on Zenaida for a shot at the Elate Eight.

Yesterday, Zechariah proved a thorn to Rose of Lima, handily defeating her 65% to 35% to advance to the next round.

Also, kudos to the Lent Madness faithful for getting our new Instagram page up and over 500 followers in the past 24 hours! Well done. And if you still haven't joined the throngs, what are you waiting for??

But first, here's your Daily Saintly Showdown...

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Sundhar Singh

In the scope of the history of Christian missionaries and saints, the ones that stand out for me are ones that unflinchingly forge a path that does not merely follow those of their human teachers, but tries to emulate Christ’s teachings in their own society, and Sundar Singh is a shining light in this field. In his early theological training, he struggled to connect with his fellow ministers, and eventually left college after eight months. His biographers relay that there was  line drawn in the sand for him to put down his traditional sadhu’s robe and wear “respectable” European clerical dress. And this is, and least in part, why he is venerated today, because the calling of missionary work is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, not a dress code. 

Not only was Singh deeply convinced that the people of India would not hear the Gospel if the Good News came in clothes and traditions entirely foreign to them, he was also deeply critical of a shallowness that he saw in Western Christianity. In a conversation with the Archbishop of Canterbury, he is reported to have said, “There are many more people among us in India who lead a more spiritual life than in the West, although they do not know or confess Christ.” And he tells this simple story that illustrates his point: "While sitting on the bank of a river one day, I picked up a solid round stone from the water and broke it open. It was perfectly dry in spite of the fact that it had been immersed in water for centuries. The same is true of many people in the Western world. For centuries they have been surrounded by Christianity; they live immersed in the waters of its benefits. And yet it has not penetrated their hearts; they do not love it. The fault is not in Christianity, but in men's hearts, which have been hardened by materialism and intellectualism."

Singh is reported to have said early in his life, "I am not worthy to follow in the steps of my Lord, but, like Him, I want no home, no possessions. Like Him I will belong to the road, sharing the suffering of my people, eating with those who will give me shelter, and telling all men of the love of God.” He continued to live into this reality until his disappearance and death on the way to Tibet. He was fiercely passionate about his love for others, his conviction to follow Christ, and his belief that within each of us, we have the capability to be affected and changed by God’s love for this world; may we live into this truth this Lent.

— Becca Kallo

Zenaida

Zenaida and her sister Philonella are honored with Hermione as the three first medical doctors in Christian tradition after St. Luke the Evangelist. While her sister Philonella was a dedicated scholar, legend has it that Zendaida was far more contemplative, weaving mysticism and monastic practices with her medical work. Zenaida became a regional spiritual leader, mentoring others who would plant monastic communities in the area. She cared deeply for children and welcomed many pediatric patients to their cavern-hospital.

Zenaida is also known for recognizing that mental health afflictions like deep depression have components of physical ailments - this, at a time when most believed mental health to be a purely spiritual matter. Her practice combined clinical medicine with prayer. It would take nearly two millenia for modern pharmaceutical technology to be developed -- she was clearly a forward-thinker! Modern day counselors turn to Zenaida for solidarity in prayer.

Her death is shrouded in mystery. Some say Zenaida died alongside her sister when they were stoned to death by a jealous mob; the more popular view is that she died before Philonella, leaving the ministry in her capable hands. Beware of a stomach-churning story: legend has it Zenaida stepped on a nail, then died upon removing it. Others claim she died peacefully in her sleep. Regardless, the Orthodox church names her as a martyr who suffered for Christ and received an incorruptible crown of glory from the Lord.

At her death, Zenaida’s disciples claimed that her final words were a prayer of peace for the world. We don’t know her exact words; but we can pray in the communion of saints with Zenaida for peace in the world today.

— Ellie Singer