Glossary of Terms
Margaret
(c. 1045-Nov. 16, 1093). Queen of Scotland and reformer credited with removing Celtic influences in the Scottish Church. She was born in Hungary and came to England in 1057. Margaret […]
Mark the Evangelist, Saint
(Author of the second gospel. He was also known as John Mark. He was the son of Mary of Jerusalem. Although she was a widow, she was a woman of […]
Marks of the Church
See Notes of the Church.
Marquette, Diocese of
The Diocese of Northern Michigan was known as the Diocese of Marquette from Nov. 14, 1895, until June 2, 1937.
Marriage
The sacramental rite of the church in which two persons “enter into a life-long union, make their vows before God and the Church, and receive the grace and blessing of […]
Marshall, John
(Sept. 24, 1755-July 6, 1835). Third Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. He was born in Germantown, now Midland, Virginia. Marshall participated in the American Revolution and was […]
Martin of Tours
(c. 330-Nov. 11, 397). The primary molder of Frankish Christianity and one of the patron saints of France. He was born in Sabaria, the modern Szombathely, in Hungary. After serving […]
Martyn, Henry
(Feb. 18, 1781-Oct. 16, 1812). One of the founders of the Christian church in India and Iran. He was born in Truro, Cornwall, England. Martyn received his B.A. in 1801, […]
Martyr
The term comes from the Greek word meaning “witness,” which referred originally to the disciples and apostles who “witnessed” the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Later it […]
Martyrium
A church built over a martyr's tomb or relics. The term may also indicate a church built in honor of a martyr. See Relics; see Reliquary.
Martyrs of Japan, The.
Francis Xavier, a Jesuit, first brought Christianity to Japan in 1549. Christianity spread rapidly, causing resentment and leading to persecution. On Feb. 5, 1597, twenty-six Christians-six European Franciscans, three Japan […]
Martyrs of Lyons
In 177 a persecution of the Christians in Gaul (France) took place. The five persons most savagely persecuted were Attalus, Blandina, Maturus, Sanctus, and Pothinus, the first Bishop of Lyons. […]
Martyrs of New Guinea
( Eight missionaries and two Papuan martyrs who died at the hands of Japanese invaders in 1942. The first Protestant missionaries to Papua New Guinea were sent by the London […]
Martyrs of Uganda
( The Church Missionary Society began work in Uganda in 1877. At the end of the twentieth century the Anglican Church accounted for about 25% of the population of Uganda. […]
Mary and Martha of Bethany
( Mary, Martha, and Lazarus of Bethany were a family and very close friends of Jesus. Mary and Martha were disciples of Jesus who offered him hospitality. Martha provided him […]
Mary Magdalene, Saint
( A disciple of Jesus, she was from the city of Magdala in Judea, hence the surname Magdalene. She was the woman Jesus delivered from evil spirits. Mary was among […]
Mary the Virgin, Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Saint
( Mary the mother of Jesus has been an object of veneration in the church since the apostolic age. She has been a favorite subject in art, music, and literature. […]
Maryland, Diocese of
This diocese was organized on Aug. 13, 1783, at Annapolis. On Oct. 12, 1868, the General Convention voted to divide the diocese and place some of the Maryland counties in […]
Mason, Lowell
(Jan. 8, 1792-Aug. 11, 1872). An American educator, composer, and hymnal editor. He was born in Medfield, Massachusetts. Mason was a very gifted and energetic person, and his work as […]
Mason, Lucy Randolph
(July 26, 1882-May 6, 1959). Labor activist and suffragette. She was born in Clarens, Virginia, and grew up in Richmond, where her father was an Episcopal priest. In 1914 Mason […]
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.