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. J. Mercier, at the instigation of Charles Lindley Wood, Second Viscount Halifax. Wood published the results in 1928 and 1930. All the conversations after the […]

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 body. The soul was understood to return to an original state of separation from everything material in a purely spiritual realm of light. The movement […]

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. Its earliest use was as a handkerchief held in the left hand. It later became an ornament of secular rank. Although it may have had […]

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 the College of the University of the South and enrolled in its School of Theology at the same time. In 1894 he was granted the […]

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. from the General Theological Seminary in 1931; and his M.A. in 1930 and his Ph.D. in 1938, both from Columbia University. He was ordained deacon […]

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 by English navigators Philip Amadas and Arthur Barlowe at Roanoke Island off the coast of North Carolina. Sir Walter Raleigh had sent the navigators to […]

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 BCP during the words of institution in the eucharistic Prayer (e.g., p. 362-363). More extensive manual acts were required by earlier editions of the Prayer […]

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 the end of his First Letter to the Corinthians. It could be read maran atha, and translated as a creedal statement, “Our Lord has come.” […]

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 144 Marcion broke with the Christian church because he could not reconcile the Old and New Testaments. He argued that the God of the OT […]

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 married King Malcolm III of Scotland around 1067. They had eight children. She used her influence to bring Scotland under Roman obedience and remove what […]

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 means. She owned a house which was large enough to hold a large Christian gathering, and she had at least one maid. The Last Supper […]

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 God to help them fulfill their vows” (BCP, p. 861). The union is understood to be intended by God for their mutual joy; for the […]

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 part of the Minute Men at the siege of Norfolk. In 1780 he attended a course of lectures on law at William and Mary College, […]

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 in the military, he came under the influence of Hilary of Poitiers. He became a defender of Nicene orthodoxy against the Arians. Around 370 he […]

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, his M.A. in 1804, and his B.D. in 1805, all from St. John's College, Cambridge. In 1803 he became the curate of Charles Simeon at […]

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 came to mean those who had witnessed to their faith in Jesus by their suffering and those who died during persecution since it meant witnessing […]

An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church

Glossary of Terms