An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church

Glossary of Terms


Malines Conversations

A series of conversations between prominent Roman Catholic and Anglican figures. The conversations were held between 1921 and 1925 in Malines, Belgium, under the presidency of its Cardinal Archbishop, D. […]

Mandate

See Prayer Book Society.

Manicheism, Manichaeism

This dualistic heresy was named after Manes, a third-century Babylonian. He taught that matter is evil and salvation consists in freeing the human soul from its commingling with the physical […]

Maniple

A eucharistic vestment, typically an oblong band of silk or linen, worn above the left wrist. The maniple is usually of the same color and material as the eucharistic stole. […]

Manning, William Thomas

(May 12, 1866-Nov. 18, 1949). Tenth Bishop of New York. Manning was born in Northampton, England. In 1882 his family came to the United States, and in 1888 Manning entered […]

Manross, William Wilson

(Feb. 21, 1905-July 5, 1987). Episcopal Church historian, author, and seminary professor. He was born in Syracuse, New York. Manross received his B.A. from Hobart College in 1926; his S.T.B. […]

Manteo

( An American Indian whose baptism on Aug. 13, 1587 is regarded as the first recorded Anglican baptism in the American colonies. Manteo was among a group of Indians captured […]

Manual Acts

Any gestures made by the presider or other ministers during a religious service. The term is used specifically to refer to the manual acts required by the rubrics of the […]

Maranatha, or Marana tha

An Aramaic liturgical exclamation, marana tha, used by Paul at 1 Cor 16:22, translated as an eschatological prayer, “Our Lord, come!” (NRSV). It is part of Paul's closing greeting at […]

Marbeck, John

(d. c. 1585). See Merbecke or Marbeck, John.

Marcionism

Name given to theological doctrines developed and advocated by the second-century Bithynian teacher, Marcion (d. c. 160). He was a Christian by upbringing, but he fell under gnostic influences. In […]

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 […]

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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.