An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church

Glossary of Terms


Luna

A holder for the consecrated host in a monstrance, typically used for the service of Benediction. It is also known as a lunette. The luna fits into the back of the monstrance and holds the host in an upright and visible position. The host is seen through the transparent glass, but it does not touch […]

Lund Principle

An ecumenical principle set forth by the 1952 Faith and Order Conference of the World Council of Churches held at Lund, Sweden, and officially endorsed by Lambeth in 1968. This ecumenical principle was given specific shape for the Episcopal Church by the 1976 General Convention: “that the Episcopal Church at every level of its life […]

Lunette

See Luna.

Lustral Water

See Holy Water.

Lustration

This purificatory rite or sacrifice may involve the ceremonial cleansing of a person, a house, a city, an army, or a whole people. The BOS provides a form for the Restoring of Things Profaned.

Luther, Martin

(Nov. 10, 1483-Feb. 18, 1546). Founder of the sixteenth-century Reformation in Germany. He was born in Eisleben, Thuringia, Germany. Luther was baptized on Nov. 11, 1483, the Feast of St. Martin of Tours, and named after the saint. He received his M.A. in Feb. 1505 from the University of Erfurt. On July 17, 1505, he […]

Lux Mundi

A volume of theological essays edited by Charles Gore, principal of Pusey House, Oxford. It was published in 1889 in England. The collection was subtitled A Series of Studies in the Religion of the Incarnation, and it sought to interpret the doctrinal tradition of the church so that Christians could affirm new developments in scientific […]

LXX

See Septuagint.

Lych-Gate

A covered gateway to a church yard or church property where a coffin containing a corpse is set down prior to burial to await the assembly of the mourners, the pall bearers, and the officiating minister. The formation of the funeral procession and the funeral service will follow this gathering at the lych-gate. The term […]

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 […]

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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.