Terminology - Glossary M

MATUSHKA (Sl.) – (Gr. Presbytera) The wife of a priest (and in Slavic tradition, the wife of a deacon) is addressed in this manner. The word is an endearing term for “mother.”

MAUNDY THURSDAY – (Holy Thursday) Thursday of the Holy Week. Liturgy of St. Basil is served and the Reserved Sacraments are prepared. In cathedrals the ceremony of the washing of the feet takes place. In the evening the Matins service contains the reading of the twelve Passion Gospels.

MEATFARE SUNDAY – The Sunday of Meatfare is also called the Sunday of Last Judgment. It is the second Sunday befor Lent.  The Gospel reading is Matthew 25:31-46, the parable of the Last Judgment. It reminds us that while trusting in Christ’s love and mercy, we must not forget His righteous judgment when He comes… Read More

MEDIATOR – One who intervenes on behalf of another. Jesus Christ intervenes on behalf of the faithful before God the Father.   (an appellation or Title of Jesus)   “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” (1 Tim. 2:5).

MEEK – Meekness is quiet disposition of spirit, joined with care neither to offend any man, nor be offended at anything one’s self. To never murmur against God, nor even against men, when anything falls out against our wishes, nor give way to anger, nor set ourselves up.

MEETING OF THE LORD – Meeting (or Presentation or Reception) of the Lord. Forty days after Christmas, on the second of February, the Church celebrates the feast of the presentation. Forty days after Christ was born he was presented to God in the Jerusalem Temple according to the Mosaic Law. At this time as well… Read More

MEGALYNARION – (MAGNIFICATION Sl: Velichaniye) – The Greek word Megalynarion means “magnification“.-  It is used to describe several hymns in the Eastern Orthodox Church. The most common megalynarion is the one used at the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom: It is truly meet to bless thee, O Theotokos, ever blessed and most blameless and… Read More

MELCHIZEDEK – The priest-king of Salem (Peace), who offered bread and wine to Abraham (Gen. 14:18), is regarded as a ‘type’ of Christ not only by the Fathers but equally in the New Testament itself (Heb. 5:6; 7:1-19). (King of Righteousness,  King of Peace)

MEMORIAL SATURDAYS – The second, third, and fourth Saturdays are called Memorial Saturdays since they are dedicated to the remembrance of the dead. On Memorial Saturdays the liturgical hymns pray universally for all of the departed, and the Matins for the dead, popularly called the parastasis or panikhida, is served with specific mention of the… Read More

MEMORIAL SERVICE – (Panikhida, Parastas)  A service commemorating the departed, which consists essentially of the Trisagion, troparia, and a kanon (usually in abridged form), as well as special prayers and litanies; structurally, it resembles the Matins service.

MEMORY ETERNAL – (Sl. Vichnaya Pamyat) This hymn is taken from the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion. The Lord is crucified with two thieves one mocks Him with the crowd gathered to see Jesus on the cross, but the other repents of his sins and says to Jesus, “Remember me when You come in Your… Read More

MENAIA – Twelve books – one for each month – containing the services for commemoration of the Saints for each day and the feasts of the Virgin Mary. The Monthly Menaion contains the prayers and hymns in honor of the saints for each day of the year, as well as the solemn festival services for… Read More

MENEON – A liturgical book containing the lives of the saints and the special hymns (stichera) for the feast-days of the Orthodox Saints. It is divided into twelve volumes, one for each month.

MERCIFUL – One of the various customary saint titles used in commemoration at divine services when remembering saints on the Church Calendar.  One known for charitable work, especially toward the poor.

MERCY – The compassionate, steadfast love of God for sinners. Christians reflect the mercy of God by caring for others. The most frequent prayer in Orthodox worship is “Lord, have mercy.“ (Matt. 5:7; Eph. 2:v7; Titus 3:4 7.) 

MERRHBEARING WOMEN, SUNDAY OF THE – The third Sunday of Pascha is dedicated to the myrrhbearing women who cared for the body of the Saviour at his death and who were the first witnesses of his Resurrection. As part of the 3rd Sunday Of Pascha we commemorate the Holy Myrrh-bearing women: Sts Mary Magdalene (July… Read More

MESSENGER OF THE COVENANT – (an appellation or Title of Jesus)  “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of… Read More

MESSIAH – 1) The Christ, the anointed one of God. Jesus Christ is the Messiah, fulfilling all the promises made by God to His chosen people (Is. 7:14; 9:6; Matt. 16:13 17). 2) (an appellation or Title of Jesus)  “He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias,… Read More

METALEPSIS – A Greek word meaning communion. It refers to the divine communion prayers of preparation for receiving the Communion and the prayer of thanksgiving which follows.

METANOIA – A little prostration made by bending down to touch the ground with your hand.

METROPOLIA – the pre-1970 general term for the Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church in America, now known as the Orthodox Church in Americ

METROPOLITAN – The head archbishop of an ecclesiastical province, with primacy of jurisdiction. As a mark of distinction the Metropolitan wears a white klobuk with a cross on it. The title of archbishop or metropolitan may be granted to a senior bishop, usually one who is in charge of a large ecclesiastical jurisdiction. He may… Read More

METROPOLITAN COUNCIL – In the Orthodox Church in America, the Metropolitan Council is the permanent executive body of the Church Administration which exists for the purpose of implementing the decisions of the All-American Council and continuing its work between sessions. It consists of the Metropolitan as Chairman, the Chancellor, the Secretary, the Treasurer, two representatives… Read More

METROPOLITAN OF ALL AMERICA AND CANADA – Among the bishops of the Church, the Metropolitan enjoys primacy, being the first among equals. He is the Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, and is the diocesan bishop of one of the dioceses of the Church (Washington DC), and bears the title, “Metropolitan of All-America and… Read More