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) […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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.