What's in a name? Eglantyne Jebb and Seraphim of Sarov might just have some theories on this question. The twelfth battle of the first round pits a 20th century English laywoman against an 18th century Russian monk.
In yesterday's action, Dymphna played cat and mouse with Gertrude of Nivelles before prevailing 58% to 42%. She'll face the winner of John of Beverley vs. Martin of Porres in the Saintly Sixteen.
For those of you who filled out brackets in advance, how are you doing? Anyone still have a perfect bracket? Anyone 0 for 11 (which, frankly, would be equally impressive). We know it's about learning rather than winning. But still. We know there are some competitive Christians out there...
Eglantyne Jebb
Eglantyne Jebb didn’t care much for children. This is ironic, as Jebb founded Save the Children, an international non-governmental organization that promotes children’s rights, provides relief during crises like natural disasters and armed conflicts, and helps children have a healthy start in life in 120 countries, according to its website.
“It is a judgment on me for not caring about children that I talk all day long about the universal love of humanity toward them,” she said. But Eglantyne’s story goes to show God can use us in unexpected ways. God can call us to join in the work God is doing all around us, to respond to needs unique to our time and place.
In 1918, while others were celebrating the end of World War I, Eglantyne was protesting the impact of the Allied blockade after seeing newspaper photos of starving children in Germany and other European countries. She was born into a well-to-do British family of strong women who worked to meet the needs they saw in society. Originally, she studied to become a teacher, but she called it quits after a year because of that not-caring-much-for-kids thing. She became involved in the Charity Organisation Society and later traveled to Macedonia to report on refugees. Those experiences revealed to Eglantyne the difficulties faced by children in poverty and in crisis around the world.
Eglantyne was arrested for protesting—for handing out pamphlets in London with moving images of those children. Her trial made her famous, and while she was found guilty, the judge publicly gave her the money to pay the fine. That money became the first donation to Save the Children.
The organization was the first to take out full-page newspaper advertisements to promote its work and the first to enlist celebrities to promote its cause, according to Jebb’s biographer Clare Mulley. That’s something you can thank her for the next time you hear Sarah McLachlan’s voice with pictures of Precious Moments-eyed puppies.
Save the Children campaigned for the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, which later was adopted by the United Nations, and the organization continues Eglantyne’s unlikely work today. The Church of England remembers her life and service each year on December 17.
Collect for Eglantyne Jebb
Almighty God, you appeared before Moses as a burning bush and in the heart of your servant Eglantyne Jebb as a white-hot flame: Encourage us with the same fierce and fiery spirit to defend the least, the lost, the lonely, and especially children in distress, that we may ease their burdens and live into your love and will with childlike faith; through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Seraphim of Sarov
One of the most well-known saints in the Eastern Orthodox Church, Seraphim of Sarov embraced the Holy Spirit and expounded upon monastic practices of contemplation and self-denial. Born Prokhor Moshnin on August 1, 1759, Seraphim became quite ill at age ten and saw in a vision a promise from the Virgin Mary that she would heal him. A few days later, he was brought to an icon of Mary that was known to have healing power. Shortly after touching the icon, he became well.
His interest in the church continued to grow, and in 1777, he joined the Sarov monastery. His mother supported his entry into the monastery and gave him a copper crucifix that he wore his whole life. In 1786, he became a monk, and seven years later he became a monastic priest.
Seraphim is known for his asceticism. He only ate one meal a day and fasted on Wednesdays and Fridays. One of his notable feats was praying for 1,000 nights with his arms outstretched.
Shortly after becoming a priest, he moved to a log cabin in the woods and lived as a hermit for twenty-five years. When wild animals came to the hermitage, he would care for them. One time, he was seen feeding a bear from his hand.
At one point Seraphim was attacked in the woods by robbers. They beat him but he did not resist. They left him for dead. They found nothing but his icon of the Mother of God of Deep Devotion. Although he recovered from the assault, Seraphim walked with a hunched back for the rest of his life. When the robbers were caught and being tried, Seraphim asked the judge for mercy on them. He later would say, “Acquire a peaceful spirit, and thousands around you will be saved.
He returned to his cabin in the woods, and many people made pilgrimages to him for healing and to hear his prophetic words. Seraphim would often answer their questions before they were even asked.
Seraphim of Sarov died kneeling before an icon of the Theotokos—Mary, the God-bearer—on January 14, 1833.
Collect for Seraphim of Sarov
Almighty God, you have surrounded us with a great cloud of witnesses: Grant that we, encouraged by the good example of your servant Seraphim of Sarov, may persevere in running the race that is set before us, until at last we may with him attain to your eternal joy; through Jesus Christ, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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223 comments on “Eglantyne Jebb vs. Seraphim of Sarov”
go jebb
p.s love that name
I'm no W.C. Fields and I'm not a natural coo-er over kids...so I find kinship with Eglantyne. And like her - God has called me to work on behalf of foster care children & youth here in Los Angeles. "Systemic" love and care matter, too --- God in her infinite wisdom has created a place for us to be of service in spite of our natural inclinations.
Could not have said it better! I, too, am not a kid person, but I care very much about them and, ironically, have on many occasions found myself championing them despite myself. Eglantyne got my vote.
I had the privilege as an undergraduate to learn from the late Donald Nicoll. He often gave people a little card made by his printer son with this St Seraphim quote: “You cannot be too gentle, too kind. Shun even to appear harsh in your treatment of each other. Joy, radiant joy, streams from the face of one who gives and kindles joy in the heart of one who receives. Never condemn each other, not even those whom you catch committing an evil deed. We condemn others only because we shun knowing ourselves.”
I also recommend Seraphim’s “On the Acquisition of the Holy Spirit” to anyone interested in personal prayer.
After reading the comments, adding that Seraphim wasn’t always a hermit. He became a Confessor, welcoming all who came to him and listening to them and advising them.
Hoping Eglantyne comes back around NOT up against one of my inspirations!
My understanding of the term "Confessor" as applied to the early eastern churches is that it pertained to those who had been tortured for the faith and refused to abjure Christianity (but weren't killed), as opposed to those who had also been killed, and who were known as the "Martyrs." I am wondering what the technical term is later for those who heard confession. Perhaps the term "confessor" evolved over the centuries. Just an interesting question. Julian of Norwich was also an anchorite, and she counseled people who came to her cell window.
Thank you for posting that, Angela.
"We condemn others only because we shun knowing ourselves." WOW. Thank you for sharing that!
That is a very powerful prayer. Need to add this to my repertoire.
As much as I admire, and sometimes attempt to practice, asceticism, my vote had to be for Eglantyne. Children in harms way, which is all too common a condition in this country as well as in many places throughout the world, need advocates to cry out for their relief - and do something about it - because they can neither cry out for themselves or do much to protect themselves or escape their situation.
I haven't the time to read all the posts, but has anyone asked why Seraphim (the Hebrew plural) and not Seraph (the singular)?
My best guess is that it has something to do with the Russian language; "Seraphim" may be the masculine singular form. From https://bg.wikipedia.org/wiki/Серафим (translated to English via Google Translate): "Reverend Seraphim of Sarovsky (in the world: Prohor Isidorovich Moshnin, according to some sources: Maškun, 19 July 1754 (or 1759), Kursk - 2 January 1833, Sarovsky Monastery) is a hieromonk of the Sarov Monastery, among the most revered Russian saints. Founder and patron of the Dievev Monastery. Glorified by the Russian Orthodox Church in 1903 on the initiative of Tsar Nicholas II." From here, the article goes on, in Russian, of course.
I took the plural as generic, avoiding the suggestion that he himself was an angel.
I found todays choice surprisingly difficult. Having worked in a homeless shelter for 14 yrs my heart is for anyone who supports making the lives of displaced children better. (The largest percentage of people experiencing homelessness are children, a fact that the media seems to ignore). That being said, my personality and spiritual journey are much more in line with our brother Seraphim's hermetical life, so wanted to vote for him as well. In the end I shut my eyes and hit a button- and Eglantyne got my vote.
We are commanded to love our enemies, and Eglantyne "protested the Allied blockade" after the end of the war in order to save starving children. She gets my vote, hands down.
Save the Children, and save Lorelei. She's two. She was a premie born with the rare disease Mitochondria. Yesterday was Rare Disease Day. Lorelei's grandma is friends with Esther Ann who was in my car pool when we were about 6. She has flu for the fourth time in the last 49 days. She was in PICU in FL on vacation. Stopped breathing twice. Intubated and tube fed. She's a warrior. They made it home to VA. Another flu. Beat it. Now for the fourth time. She sat up for the first time a few days ago. Pray for her. Follow her on Facebook at Friday's with Lorelei. There's a link for donations. A researcher is studying her particular strain. She needs a cure, she deserves a cure. Take a look. Please. She's adorable. Her mom, Suz, is amazing. This family will cause you to give thanks--even if you don't like children. Lorelei deserves your prayers. Learn about Mito. I voted for Eglantyne.
Pushkin? I am impressed. Can you say more?
The need for healing is overwhelming. No wonder Jesus did so much of it. Bless your Lorelei. Someone near and dear to me has the very same thing. It is a very hard row to hoe.
Recent interest in the history and workings of Orthodoxy led me to vote for Seraphim, even though I was pretty sure his biography would seem the less stellar of the two.
Ack! This makes the second day in a row that I'm unable to connect much with the story of either saint. I finally decided on Seraphim, though it looks like few are joining me in that.
I do appreciate the fact that he asked the judge for mercy on those who attacked him, and I like his quote: "Acquire a peaceful spirit, and thousands around you will be saved." I also like his unique status as a hospitable hermit, who welcomed visitors though he remained in his cabin in the woods. And he reportedly greeted his guests with the exclamation "Christ is risen!" He is risen indeed!
Eglantyne's work was admirable, but I'm unable to find anything about a Christian motivation behind it. That's my basic requirement #1 for a saint. So I'm sticking with Seraphim.
teehee
Okay, I'm going to joust with you a little on this one. Must one be a Christian to be a saint, or to be a saintly person? Ghandi comes to mind. . .
😀
I love reading people's thoughts about why they vote the way they do. Particularly yours today because the reason I selected Englantyne to win the whole thing was exactly because I find her work with Save the Children to fit in completely with my notion of Christianity.
There is Matthew's text about "Suffer the Little Children" afterall.
And to me, looking out for those less fortunate and loving our neighbors is so much part of Christianity and Christ's message.
It certainly is, Julie. And I've voted for many saintly souls who, motivated by the love of Christ in their hearts, have looked after the less fortunate and loved their neighbors.
However, Christians aren't the only folks who are capable of doing good things like these. People can do good with different motivation, and that's great too. It's just that here in LM I think we're looking at the contributions of Christian saints who did good in Christ's name, and whose good deeds point ultimately to Him.
In the case of Eglantyne, I was searching for even the slightest mention of religious conviction on her part, and found none. I suppose the fact that the Church of England recognizes her contribution means that she was at least a member. But even when I googled her to find out more, I still came up empty there. If anyone can find some evidence in that area from an outside source, I will be most happily proven wrong.
BTW, I'm a big fan of Mahatma Ghandi, and if he popped up as a candidate for LM, I wouldn't vote for him either. I'm not saying that Eglantyne wasn't a Christian. It's just that I'd like to see that come out more explicitly in the life of any saint I vote for. 🙂
Eglantyne for me! She found her niche despite her intolerance for brats. Actions speak louder than words. But to be honest it was her song that sold me.
I felt that Dymphna and Gertrude of Nivelles could have been part of the #metoo movement. So far only one of my picks have not advanced. I chose Thomas a Kempis over Maria Skobstova. My bracket is not busted. I think it will be soon. My final 4 is John the Evangelist, Dymphna, Edith and Katherine Von Bora.
Devoted to God is important and forgiveness, however the children are always our future and they are the innocent.
I had to vote Eglantyne, her work is carried on and still helps our children. I feel blessed that my children and grandchildren have lived in a home where there was enough. I have always thought what would I have done if I did not have enough to feed my own children, That I cannot say and I continue to want to support those that help children worldwide.
Seraphim. I think we undervalue a life devoted to prayer at our peril. Paul exhorts us to pray constantly, which Seraphim certainly did, and his prayers were most likely for the rest of the world, including those called to activism. I wish we had more monks and nuns supporting us in prayer, today.
I thought it was pretty inspiring that Eglantyne Jebb did so much to help children when she didn't really like them. I wish more people followed her example of showing Christ's love to those they don't really like.
I'm not surprised that Eglantyne is winning, but I'm sorry the percentage is so high. I voted for Seraphim -- it would be nice for a contemplative saint who ministered to troubled souls one-to-one to get some attention. This means of our 12 contests so far, I have only gone with the winning saint 4 times. Ah well. I don't fill out a bracket ahead of time, but I do have a prediction at this point. For the Faithful Four on the left side, Peter vs Maria Skobstova. That will be an interesting match-up if I'm right.
You're in good company, Kathy. Good to hear from you again!
I'm trying to be "good" this year and not doing Lent Madness until my lunch hour. So my comments tend to be way past 100, and I have no idea whether anybody is reading them. I appreciate your comment!
Sure thing. I love reading the comments and reflecting on them.
I used to support Save the Children, and wile bouts of poverty prevents me from continuing to support them financially, I am happy to crown its founder with the golden halo!
A devotee of Mary, Mother of God, Theotokos. Had to vote for Seraphim.
the "great cloud of witnesses" mentioned in the Seraphim collect grabbed me...as I age and come closer to the end of my life here, the great cloud is a comfort to me. Seraphim was not flashy, not seeking popularity, not charismatic but was steadfast and steady.
Bless you, John.
When you devise and implement a program to save and salvage numbers of needy children, it is not mandatory that you like/love/adore them..that's your personal business. Programs to ensure their well-being and development are the crucial elements. I personally know people who just love and adore children and don't have a clue about their well-being nor upbringing. Eglantyne gets it today ! She didn't hate nor dislike the kiddies just wasn't sappy nor maudlin. Give'er a break !
You don't have to be personally involved with a cause to appreciate its importance. I can understand the need to care for the earth without living outside in the elements. It was Eglantyne for me.
Much as I admire Orthodox spirituality, I have to go with someone else who doesn't like children. God has always had a fine sense of irony. I briefly conducted a children's choir once, and some of the kids told me after they grew up that they were terrified of me. (But they loved me anyway.)
As soon as I read "contemplation and self-denial" in the first sentence about Seraphim, I knew he was going to get whupped. He’s getting my vote, though. I Googled him for more details and learned it was in 1815, after he had a mystical vision, that he opened up his hermitage to visitors. So he spent nearly 20 years sharing what he had learned from his solitude and his previous life’s journey before he retired to the woods. I love the image of people trundling out to the forest for spiritual and emotional counseling and healing from this peaceful and merciful man. Fierce and fiery activists are awesome, but we need the quiet and constant saints too.
Speak, sister.
Ditto. Quiet sounds good - my favorite oxymoron.
The Spirit does work in mysterious and compelling ways. Although not enamored of children per se, Eglantyne Jebb ended up with fire in her Spirit to protect them in the face of misery brought on by wars, disease, etc. Today, the Save the Children Foundation is serving in 120 countries (US included) and serves 157 million children worldwide! Not bad for someone who was a former teacher who ended up handing out pamphlets on a London Street in 1918 protesting the Allied blockade.
One meal a day, and fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays! Now HE should be the patron saint of dieters.
True, I'm more impressed with work and witness of Eglantyne, but Seraphim has spoken directly to my eating habits this lent. I feel like repenting now. Might as well give him my vote, too.
Eglantyne—voted for her out of empathy for that name—Actually for the good work!
“But I don't want to go among mad people,” Alice remarked. “Oh, you can't help that,” said the Cat: “we're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad.”
I'm sorry! When I first saw Eglantyne Jebb's name in the subject line of the email, I thought I saw Eggplant.
I'll see myself out.
Seems as if we're going with saints who are out in the world, actively organizing and improving the lives of others this year over the contemplatives. Perhaps there's an undercurrent of need. To say nothing of what's going on in the world today. I wonder how much we are being inspired by movements such as #metoo, the women's matches and the (frankly inspirational) work of young people post Parkland.
Voting for Eglantyne - sadly our world needs those who carry on her work more than ever - so glad to have learned about this amazing woman -her life and work are an inspiration -
I voted for Eglantyne because I work for one of Save's peer organizations, have many good friends at Save, and know what good work they do. I love St. Seraphim, but guys like him always seem so remote to me.