Glossary of Terms
M. C.
(See Master of Ceremonies, or M.C.
M.A.
Master of Arts. The degree requires a bachelor's degree and can be either a research program or a general academic program.
M.A.R
A.R(Master of Arts in Religion. The degree requires a bachelor's degree and can be either a research program or a general academic program.
M.A.R.E
(Master of Arts in Religious Education. The degree requires a bachelor's degree and equips persons for competent leadership in educational ministry.
M.C.M.
(The Master of Church Music degree presupposes a bachelor's degree and is designed to develop leaders of musical activities in the church.
M.Div.
Master of Divinity. The degree presupposes a bachelor's degree and is designed to prepare persons for ministry in the church and synagogue. It has replaced the B.D. (Bachelor of Divinity) degree.
M.R.E.
R.E.( Master of Religious Education. The degree presupposes a baccalaureate degree and is designed to train persons for leadership in educational ministry.
M.S.M.
S.M. (Master of Sacred Music. The degree presupposes a bachelor's degree and is designed to develop leaders of musical activities in the church.
M.T.S.
T.S.( Master of Theological Studies. The degree requires a bachelor's degree and can be either a research program or a general academic program.
Mace
See Virge.
Macrina the Younger
(c. 327-c. 379). Superior of a religious community of women, ascetic, spiritual director, and older sister of the Cappadocians Basil of Caesarea (c. 330-379) and Gregory of Nyssa (c. 331-c. 395). She was strongly influenced by Macrina the Elder (d. 340), her paternal grandmother. After the death of Macrina the Younger's fiancé when she was […]
Madison, James
(Aug. 27, 1749-Mar. 6, 1812). The first Bishop of Virginia. He was born in Staunton, Virginia. Madison graduated from William and Mary College in 1771 and studied law for two years before becoming professor of natural philosophy and mathematics at William and Mary in 1773. During the American Revolution he supported the Patriots. He studied […]
Madonna
The Blessed Virgin Mary. The term is from the Italian, “my lady.” It also indicates artistic representations of Mary in portraits or statues. The Madonna Lily is the plant Lilium candidum, which is also called the White Lily and the Annunciation Lily. It has white flowers that are trumpet-shaped. The Madonna Lily has been used […]
Magna et mirabilia
Canticle 19 in the 1979 BCP (p. 94), based on Rv 15:3-4. It begins, “O ruler of the universe, Lord God, great deeds are they that you have done, surpassing human understanding.” It is also known as the Song of the Redeemed. In this heavenly vision, the victorious faithful sing the Song of Moses and […]
Magnificat
This song of praise, also known as “The Song of Mary,” is from the account in Lk 1:46-55 of Mary’s visit to her relative Elizabeth when Mary was pregnant with Jesus and Elizabeth was pregnant with John the Baptist. It is attributed to Mary in the Lucan narrative, but a minority of ancient authorities attributed […]
Mahan, Milo
(May 24, 1819-Sept. 3, 1870). Historian, educator, and high churchman. He was born in Suffolk, Virginia. Mahan studied at the Flushing Institute, Long Island, and then taught Greek at the Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia. His admiration of the Oxford Movement displeased Bishop William Meade. Mahan went back to Flushing where he taught at […]
Maine, Diocese of
This diocese was organized on May 3, 1820, at Brunswick. From 1811 until 1820 Maine was in the Diocese of Massachusetts, which was in the Eastern Diocese. On Sept. 5, 1820, the newly formed Diocese of Maine joined the Eastern Diocese and remained in it until Bishop Alexander Griswold's death in 1843. The Eastern Diocese […]
Major Feasts
Major celebrations of the church year for which the Prayer Book appoints proper collects, psalms, and lessons. They include the seven principal feasts (Easter Day, Ascension Day, Pentecost, Trinity Sunday, All Saints' Day, Christmas Day, and the Epiphany), Sundays, and major holy days (including feasts of our Lord, all feasts of apostles, all feasts of […]
Major Orders
The term traditionally refers to the holy orders of bishop, priest, and deacon. The major orders were distinguished from minor orders such as porter (doorkeeper), lector, exorcist, and acolyte. The subdiaconate was considered a minor order until it was included among the major orders by Pope Innocent III in 1207. The subdiaconate was suppressed in […]
Malania, Leo
(May 21, 1911-Sept. 1, 1983). Prayer Book revision coordinator. He was born in Tiflis, in the Russian province of Georgia. Malania received his B.A. from the University of Toronto in 1934. He studied at the George Mercer School of Theology. Malania was ordained deacon on Feb. 27, 1965, and priest on Dec. 21, 1965. Before […]
Glossary definitions provided courtesy of Church Publishing Incorporated, New York, NY,(All Rights reserved) from “An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians,” Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, editors.