Welcome to the ONLY Saturday matchup of Lent Madness 2023. From here on out, every weekday of Lent will feature a new opportunity for learning and voting. We won't stop until Spy Wednesday! (more about that in due time)
Today it's Olga of Kiev vs. Bertha of Kent. A woman who played a role in converting Russians to Christianity vs. a woman who played a role in converting the English to Christianity.
Yesterday, in the second romp in as many days, Florence Li Tim-Oi defeated Nicolaus von Zinzendorf 79% to 21%. Don't worry! We'll get some nail biters soon enough. It's all but guaranteed.
Well, go vote and we'll see you first thing Monday morning as Scholastica takes on Richard Hooker.
Olga of Kiev
“Vengeance is mine, says the Lord,” (Romans 12:19). Or was it Olga’s? A controversial figure in church history, Olga of Kiev is best known and canonized by the Orthodox Church for her role in the conversion of Russia to Christianity. She was born around the beginning of the tenth century in the northwest area of Russia that had been invaded by the Vikings (think Russia/Ukraine/Belarus/Estonia). Her husband, Igor, was murdered by the Drevlian tribe that no longer wished to be aligned with Igor. To make their distaste in his leadership abundantly clear, they tore him in half.
In an act both cunning and treacherous, Olga invited the new chief to court her. When his entourage arrived, she had her people escort them to a carefully prepared trench where she had all the men buried alive in revenge for the death of her husband. Olga continued to exact revenge and murder the people of Drevlian by playing their chief like a violin, capitalizing on his desire to marry her. She continued to have his emissaries killed through skillful plotting and ultimately had their village burned to the ground. To ensure her control over the area, she assumed leadership through regency for her son.
In the early to mid 900s, Olga traveled to the seat of the empire at Constantinople to ally with the Byzantine Empire. It is said that the emperor found Olga to be beautiful and wanted her to become a Christian. Olga said she would convert only if she was baptized by the emperor himself and instructed in the ways of the faith by the patriarch. It is said that during her baptism, she saw God. She became steadfast in her faith and began to shine with the light of God. The patriarch remarked that she would be a beacon to the people of the Rus’ and their descendants would find favor with God. Olga returned to Kiev and worked to bring the Russian people to the faith. Although her grandson, Vladimir, is recognized as the founder of Russian Christianity, Olga is remembered in the Orthodox Church as “Equal to the Apostles.”
Olga’s story is controversial. She was a brutal and revengeful ruler who brooked no mercy on her enemies. Much of her life is an example of the ways we are taught not to live our lives in the Christian faith. But God has a habit of using the least expected, the most unqualified, and the least desirable to teach us about mercy, love, and who God is. Her story shows us that God’s mercy can soften and redeem even the hardest of hearts.
Collect for Olga of Kiev
Almighty and everlasting God, we thank you for your servant Olga, whom you called to preach the Gospel to the people of Russia. Raise up in this and every land evangelists and heralds of your kingdom, that your Church may proclaim the unsearchable riches of our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Bertha of Kent
Bertha of Kent is one of those historical women whose imprint on medieval Christianity is indelible, though you might not know much about her.
The exact dates and years of her birth and death are unknown, and records vary. It’s generally accepted that Bertha was born a princess around 565 into the royal French Merovingian family. As a young girl, she practiced her Christian faith. Her arranged marriage in 580 to the King of Kent was steeped in economic, military, and political motives. King Ethelbert was a pagan, worshipping Woden (aka Odin), Thunor (aka Thor), and other Norse deities. Her marriage agreement with Ethelbert was that she could continue to practice her Christian faith. Not only did he agree to her terms, but also Ethelbert renovated an old Roman church close to Canterbury, the capital of Kent, for his new queen. The chapel was dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours and served as her private chapel throughout her life.
In 597, Bertha welcomed none other than Augustine, who had been sent to the strategically important kingdom of Kent by Pope Gregory the Great. Augustine’s travels and successes became intertwined with Bertha. Thanks to Bertha’s influence, Ethelbert allowed Augustine and his 40 companions to preach Christianity, beginning what is known as the great Christian conversion in England. Augustine was later named the first Archbishop of Canterbury.
Ethelbert was baptized on the Pentecost following Augustine’s arrival, and history records him as the first English king to convert to Christianity.
Though Bertha died sometime after 601 in Canterbury, evidence of the queen’s influence is still clear today throughout the area. You can travel The Bertha Trail, also called Queen Bertha’s Walk, which features 14 bronze plaques in various locations, including St. Martin’s Church, Canterbury Cathedral, and St. Augustine’s Abbey. A statue of Queen Bertha graces St. Martin’s.
UNESCO named Bertha’s Chapel in St. Martin’s in Canterbury as the oldest church in the English-speaking world, with Christian worship taking place continuously since the sixth century. It is believed she is buried under the steps of St. Martin’s.
Her feast is celebrated on May 1.
Collect for Bertha of Kent
Almighty God, by your Holy Spirit you have made us one with your saints in heaven and on earth: Grant that in our earthly pilgrimage we may always be supported by this fellowship of love and prayer, and know ourselves to be surrounded by their witness to your power and mercy. We ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ, in whom all our intercessions are acceptable through the Spirit, and who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Olga of Kiev: Mikhail Nesterov, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Bertha of Kent: Mattana, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
190 comments on “Olga of Kiev v. Bertha of Kent”
Perhaps in the next revision of the software platform of our posting, the percentage breakouts can be displayed only after the voter clicks a Saint?
Meantime, I had pre-printed the brackets and made all my picks on paper.
The revision would approximate the system used in the NYTimes Weekly News Quiz...
Is there any way for us NOT to see the current results until AFTER we have voted. It is very distracting and difficult not to be affected by the results boldly there in front of me.
I have spoken with several others who feel the same as I do.
I am convinced it is skewing some results already.
I made a pilgrimage to Canterbury several years ago with the youth of our church. While there, I bought a tiny BCP that was labeled by Bertha's name. Also, one of my grandmother's name was Bertha. Oh sure, I love the description given for her too.
I appreciate the steadfast faith and quiet conversions led by Bertha.
In almost any other pairing it would be Bertha, but the dramatic effect of her conversion (comparable to Paul's) caught me this time. BTW, I was reminded of Fr. Gunn OHC's account of Bertha and Ethelbert's meeting with Augustine: After Augustine told them that he came to preach Christ Ethelbert gave his permission and
Bertha added. "Won't you join me for Evensong in my chapel?"
I'm disappointed in Olga. I was looking forward to championing her but her brutality, although common in the histories of Eastern Europa, and the fact that her grandson was the prime mover in establishing Christianity in Russia I had to go with Bertha who had a lasting mark on the rise of Christianity in England.
Not voting for the 10th century version of Putin, no matter how sincere her penitence might have been. Bertha was steadfast and sturdy in her faith.
Well, Bertha is certainly the popular choice, but I'm a sucker for a good story of redemption. Olga's brutality initially turned me off, but she's a wonderful example of how God can change even the hardest of hearts.
Thank you for revising the showing of the standings and making it optional. I did not like seeing the standings before I vote. This should satisfy both camps. Look forward to Lent Madness every year. Thank you and happy Lent!
Love to support any Ukranians; but - -
Visiting Bertha's chapel in Canterbury was one of the highlights of my visit. A real presence in that chapel. Had to vote for Bertha.
To get beyond the whining of seeing a button…..
I am voting for Olga of Kiev. It is easy to live a life dedicated to God if that is how you have been brought up. It is not so easy to even find God, let a lone dedicate your life to Him, if you have not been brought up in the faith and have led a life contrary to the teachings up to the point of acceptance of Grace.
Marian, I disagree with your assertion that it is easy to live a life dedicated to God if that is how you have been brought up. I am a cradle Anglican, nurtured and taught by a devout family, but my conversion did not come about until I was in my 30s!
In Bertha's case, it must have been difficult for her to leave a Christian family and community to enter into an arranged marriage with a pagan king -to leave that security to live among strangers who did not share her faith and, more often than not, killed Christians. The fact that Bertha not only survived and won her husband over to Christ and then went on to help convert the English is little short of miraculous for a woman of the sixth century C.E.
It's too bad we have a chance to look at the results before we vote. It seems like cheating somehow.
I find it deeply troubling that the history of Christian conversions so repeatedly characterized by a ruler's faith being imposed on her / his subjects. Bertha's story seems slightly less like a forced conversion of a people than Olga's, so I'll go with the Brit.
I'd rather have Bertha with me in the lion's den...there's not enough time for Olga's transformation
I don't perceive Olga to be "Equal to the Apostles". She seems to be more like some of the bloodstained desperadoes God turned to good use in the Hebrew scriptures. Why do I get the feeling that Olga's people converted because they were mindful of what she had done to others who had defied her in the past? No wonder her grandson is the one credited with bringing Ukraine and Russia into the Christian fold.
On the other hand, the kinder, gentler Bertha, not only brought her pagan husband to Christ, but helped Augustine to establish the Church in England. My vote today goes to Bertha.
Had to vote for Bertha, having been to St. Martin’s church on my last trip to Canterbury.
Well this is disappointing. I selected my pick and pressed vote. The current results came up and it said 'go back to vote', which I did. Then it said 'vote not allowed'. So, I am probably now going to be excluded from Lent Madness for voting fraudulently (multiple times). That is truly Madness!
I don’t look at the voting stream or comments until I have voted. Then I am not swayed!
I don’t really understand all the concern about seeing the tally before, during or after - I usually know who gets my vote before I get to the vote button. I’be been doing Lent Madness since it began, by the way, and I always enjoy it. I like knowing the tally after I have voted!
Now, on the real business at hand, I wanted to vote for Olga to show solidarity with Ukraine but I couldn’t get past the cruelty and revenge seeking. So it was Bertha instead but Remember Ukraine and its valiant people.
Why are the vote totals showing before we have voted?
I cannot in conscience support such a brutal person as Olga.
My grandma Bertha lived in Kent WA (b. 1896 d. 1982). Had to go with Bertha.
I planned on voting for Olga of Kiev in solidarity with Ukraine. Then I read her story and just couldn’t do it. I was also impressed with Bertha’s story so was happy to give her my vote.
Also when I went to vote I had a choice of seeing the totals or not so chose not to see them.
Olha did not "invite" her husband's murderer to court her, according to Dr. Serhii Plokhy, Harvard Professor of Ukrainian History and author of _The Gates of Europe: A History of Ukraine._
Prince Mal, who killed Olha's husband Ingvar, proposed marriage to Olha in order to get control over Olga's young son (and the heir apparent), Sviatoslav."Mal made the overture to gain control over" the child. "Mal clearly wanted to take Ingvar's place as a ruler, not simply as the husband of Olha."
If she were Jael or Judith we would be praising her and not calling her "controversial" for protecting her child and her kingdom.
Olga of Keiv's story is one of passionate transformation.
Olga.
Kiev strong.
And women who fight back are to be honored not condemned. The violence of her struggle came before she knew Christ. I thank God for her and pray that she might visit the current leadership of Russia and bury them in love until they disarm. Je
I appreciate Olga's turning away from violence after her baptism and working to advance the Christian faith. Yet I don't see the lack of a bloodthirsty past as detrimental to Bertha's character! I have always appreciated her story. Besides, my maternal grandmother was named Bertha (a name made into a joke by a certain golf club, and yet I bought one). My grandmother was the most saintly person I ever knew, so of course Bertha of Kent got my vote.
It is nice to have Like buttons this year - thanks!
Dear Rev. Canon Scott Gunn and Rev. Tim Schenck,
Thank you very much for the time and effort to prepare and disseminate Lent Madness. It is an educational, interesting and a fun annual event
I am writing today to kindly ask for edits/corrections to the information regarding Olga of Kiev (Saint Olha of Kyiv). Ukrainian voices, culture and people deserve to be portrayed accurately. Please contact me via email. With appreciation and thanks.