Brigid of Kildare v Julian of Norwich
Will they show up for today’s showdown? It’s two mysterious girls battling for supremacy. Brigid of Kildare v Julian of Norwich Brigid of Kildare Saint Brigid of Kildare or Saint Brigid of Ireland (c. 451 – 525) is the patroness saint (or ‘mother saint’) of Ireland, and one of its three national saints along with Patrick and Columba. According to mediaeval Irish […]
Gertrude the Great v Gertrude of Nivelles
It’s Gertie squared in today’s square-off! Gertrude the Great v Gertrude of Nivelles Gertrude the Great Gertrude the Great, or Saint Gertrude of Helfta (6th January [the Feast of the Epiphany] 1256 – 17th November 1302) was a German Benedictine nun and mystic from the monastery of Helfta. Gertrude produced numerous writings, though only some survive today. The longest […]
Piran of Cornwall v Cornelius the Centurion
Today’s Showdown is a corny affair! Piran of Cornwall v Cornelius the Centurion Piran of Cornwall Piran or Pyran (died c 480) was a 5th-century Cornish abbot and saint, possibly of Irish origin. He is the patron saint of tin–miners, and is also generally regarded as the patron saint of Cornwall. While we cannot be certain of Piran’s origins, it is generally accepted […]
Henry Whipple v Jackson Kemper
Two pioneers of better intercultural relations. Henry Whipple v Jackson Kemper Henry Whipple Henry Benjamin Whipple (15th February 1822 – 16th September 1901) was the first Episcopal bishop of Minnesota, who gained a reputation as a humanitarian and an advocate for Native Americans. Born in Adams, New York, he was raised in the Presbyterian church but became an Episcopalian through […]
Rita v Zita
A battle between rhyming Italian ladies! Rita v Zita Rita Rita of Cascia (born Margherita Ferri Lotti 1381 – 22nd May 1457) was an Italian widow and Augustinian nun. After Rita’s husband died, she joined an Augustinian community of religious sisters, where she was known both for practicing mortification of the flesh and for the efficacy of her prayers. Various miracles […]
Ambrose of Milan v William Byrd
Today’s all about the Byrds and the bees! Ambrose of Milan v William Byrd Ambrose of Milan Ambrose of Milan (c 339 – 4th April 397) was a theologian and statesman who served as Bishop of Milan from 374 to 397. He expressed himself prominently as a public figure, fiercely promoting Roman Christianity against Arianism and paganism. Ambrose was born into […]
Adomnan of Iona v Joseph Vaz
Today’s face-off is island-based! Adomnan of Iona v Joseph Vaz Adomnán of Iona Adomnán or Adamnán of Iona (c 624 – 704) was an abbot of Iona Abbey, hagiographer, statesman, canon jurist, and saint. He was the author of the Life of Columba (Latin: Vita Columbae), probably written between 697 and 700. This biography is by far the most important surviving work written in early-medieval […]
Pachomius v Cyprian of Carthage
An African-based altercation. Pachomius v Cyprian of Carthage Pachomius Pachomius (c 292 – 9th May 348 AD), also known as Saint Pachomius the Great, is generally recognized as the founder of Christian cenobitic monasticism. Coptic churches celebrate his feast day on 9th May, and Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches mark his feast on 15th May or 28th […]
Lazarus v Joseph of Arimathea
Bring on the big guns for today’s showdown! Lazarus v Joseph of Arimathea Lazarus Lazarus of Bethany is the subject of a sign of Jesus in the Gospel of John, in which Jesus restores him to life four days after his death. In the context of the seven signs in the Gospel of John, the raising of Lazarus at Bethany is the climactic narrative, […]
Polycarp v Andrew the Fisherman
Today’s fishy fisticuffs! Polycarp v Andrew the Fisherman Polycarp Polycarp (AD 69 – 155) was a Christian bishop of Smyrna. According to the Martyrdom of Polycarp, he died a martyr, bound and burned at the stake, then stabbed when the fire failed to consume his body. Both Irenaeus and Tertullian say that Polycarp had been a disciple of John the Apostle, one of Jesus’ […]