Congratulations to 2025 Golden Halo winner Zechariah! In the final battle of Lent Madness XVI, Zechariah defeated a valiant opponent in Nicolaus Zinzendorf 55% to 45% to take this year's crown. Both of these last remaining saints, one ancient and one modern, captured the imagination of the Lent Madness voting public, but only one can wear the golden headgear. And that is Zechariah, marking just the THIRD time in Lent Madness history that a Biblical saint has emerged victorious.
Zechariah joins previous Golden Halo winners George Herbert (2010), C.S. Lewis (2011), Mary Magdalene (2012), Frances Perkins (2013), Charles Wesley (2014), Francis of Assisi (2015), Dietrich Bonhoeffer (2016), Florence Nightingale (2017), Anna Alexander (2018), Martha of Bethany (2019), Harriet Tubman (2020), Absalom Jones (2021), José Hernández (2022), Jonathan Daniels (2023), and Julian of Norwich (2024).
To celebrate Zechariah's victory, we will soon be releasing a commemorative mug for your drinking pleasure. Stay tuned for your chance to won a small piece of Lent Madness 2025 history.
Finally, blessings to all as we head into the Triduum and enter into the death and resurrection of our Lord. It’s been a privilege to have you join us on our Lenten pilgrimage. Happy Lent!
55 comments on “Zechariah Wins 2025 Golden Halo!”
Thanks again for another fun season, SEC and celebrity bloggers!
Thanks so much, I didn't pick a winner but they both where top picks.
You obviously cut and pasted last year's email, because you begin the second paragraph with the word "Julian", when obviously it should be Zachariah. Nick
Congratulations to Zechariah. Not my pick, but nevertheless worthy of the Golden Halo. Thank you to Lent Madness for the work you put into making the past few weeks enjoyable. It sure helped to take our collective minds off the real madness emerging in the USA at this time. I hope the peace that Zechariah spoke about in his blessing comes true to the leaders of America. Happy Easter!
I have learned a great deal this Lenten Season. Thank you!
Delighted Zechariah won!!
Having been enjoying Lent Madness for years. Have always enjoyed on who would win the Golden Halo.
Congratulations to Zechariah for winning the Golden Halo.
Have enjoyed on reading about the Saints & their up bringing.
I really enjoy this and anticipate each day the readings about the picked saints ! Thank you all your hard work ! God bless!! Happy Blessed Easter !♥️
What! No sassy video? You guys some kinda parish priests or something? Busy this week?
Blessings to the SEC and the new team for setting us up for a happy Lent. Bravo, Zechariah!
Thank you for all of your hard work! I've learned so much.
Third Biblical saint to win after Mary Magdalene in 2012 and Martha of Bethany in 2019, I think.
Yes. I noticed error too.
Apparently Julian took advantage of AI and slipped his name back in for a second win! Nothing has replaced a human proofreader, at least not yet!
Thanks for an entertaining Lent Madness this year!
The Supreme executives must be tired. Two edits needed in the announcement today. Maybe I’m feeling a bit grumpy since my guy didn’t obtain the golden halo.
As an aspiring (personal) Golden Halo winner I thank you for all the insights and highlights you - SEC and Celebrity Bloggers - provided us in this Lent Madness season.
I enjoyed all of the fun and info you gave us.
Happy Triduum!
Um, both Mary Magdalene and Martha of Bethany are Biblical saints, so this would be “the THIRD time in Lent Madness history that a Biblical saint has emerged victorious.”
Just sayin’.
And I’ll get in a plug for next year’s bracket.
You should include the child martyr Tarore of Waharoa, which would doubtless boost Lent Madness fandom in Aotearoa New Zealand. Former Primate of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia Archbishop Sir David Moxon has described the story of Tarore and her book as “one of the *taonga* (treasures) of the Church in Aotearoa.”
Had fun doing this. Thanks!
Thank you for a fun and inspirational Lent Madness. Great leadership and exciting match-ups.
This is my first time participating in Lent Madness. I - gasp! - had never heard of it until a friend sent me some info.
I agree that it was a great, healthy distraction from all the chaos in our country right now, as well as an inspiration. I’ve never thought this much about some of the Saints previously known to me (I now feel much more of a connection to Zechariah, thank you.) And I got to know some new saints, who inspire me. Thank you so much!
Look at the first word in paragraph 2!
Well-deserved Zechariah, though Zinzendorf was my guy. Thanks for the fun to the SEC for all your work. Great job, newbies!
Thank you also for providing such a compelling list of saints to learn about! It was difficult to chose "winners" as each offered so much!
I look forward to next year.
Is this not our third Biblical halo winner? Martha, Mary M, Zechariah...?
Thanks all for another stellar year!
Congrats to Team Zechariah.
I wonder - why was 2025 his year? What is the Spirit saying to the church (through the LM voting public)?
Not waiting for your silly “nominationtide” to say that Lent Madness will never be truly legitimate until Óscar Romero, saint and martyr, wins the Golden Halo. Make it so!
My husband, seeing the winner asked, “has Lent Madness finally jumped the shark?” Thank you for all the hard work, but while I see the faithful witness of Mary of Magdala and the example of service in Mary of Bethany, I have not understood Zechariah, other than a beautiful canticle attributed to him. I hope for some inspirational figures from the more recent past in 2026. But yea, seriously, thanks to everyone on the team and especially the bloggers for their hard work. A blessed Hoky Week and Easter to all.
Tim A-D. oops "HER"
Thank you for this ministry!
Thanks for a great season! Looking forward to next year’s competition. My bracket was a disaster.
Thank you all for an interesting, educational, FUN journey. May we meet in again in Madness next year.
I had Count Zinzendorf all the way, but glad to honor Zechariah whose silence became a virtue!