Magi – the name given to the visitors from the East who presented gifts of Gold, Frankinsence and Myrrh to the infant Jesus (Matthew 2:1-12). They are often commonly called Wise Men and Kings. They were the first Gentiles to believe in Christ.

Magnificat – the words used by Mary after she has heard the news that she has been chosen to be the mother of Jesus and shares the news with her cousin Elizabeth. It has become a favourite song of the Church – said or sung everyday at Evening Prayer. The word ‘Magnificat’ comes from the opening words of Mary, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord.’

Marriage – see Matrimony, Holy

Mark, St – the author of the second Gospel, although it was the first to be written. He is known as an evangelist. He features in the Acts of the Apostles as a the cousin of Barnabbas, whom he accompanied on a mission to Cyprus He also accompanied St Paul and St Barnabbas on their first missionary journey but turned back. He is also associated with St Peter as his interpreter.

Martyr – someone who dies for their faith. The first Christian Martyr was Stephen. His death was over-seen by Paul before he became a Christian, when he was known as Saul. (Acts 7: 54ff)

Mary, St – the mother of Jesus. See also Blessed Virgin Mary

Mass – a name given to the Holy Eucharist

Matthew, St – one of the twelve apostles and to whom the first Gospel is attributed. Is he known as a former Tax Collector.

Matrimony, Holy – the life long union, given by God, between a man and a woman. Christians make their vows before God and the Church, and receive the grace and blessing of God to help them fulfil their vows

Maundy Thursday – the day on which Jesus celebrated the Passover and gave us the Eucharist. It is the night when he was betrayed and arrested. The day before he died.

Mediator – a Mediator is someone who stands between two groups of people to help negotiate or perhaps pass things on from one group to another. In this sense, Christ is the mediator between God and Humanity – because he stands between us and the Father. It is through Jesus that we have access to the Father, and it’s through Jesus that God pours his love into the world

Messiah – a Hebrew word that means ‘the anointed one.’ It is translated into the Greek word for ‘Christ.’ In the Jewish Faith the Messiah was the one who was expected to come and deliver Israel

Methodist Church – The Methodist Churches grew out of the ministry of Charles and John Wesley, two priests of the Church of England, in the eighteenth century.

Ministry – In it’s wider sense this means representing Christ and his church and is the responsibility of all Christians. We are called to bear witness to Christ wherever we are. In it’s narrower sense, it may mean a particular role that we have within the Church.

Miracles – a miracle can be described as something that happens due to the intervention or involvement of God.

Mission – the mission of the Church is to be God’s instrument in the world to….

Mitre – the hat worn by bishops that represents the flames of fire that rested on the Apostles’ head at Pentecost. It reminds us that bishops are successors of the Apostles.

Monastery – the place where male members of a Religious Order (i.e. monks) live.

Monks – a male member of a Religious Order

Monstrance – a vessel into which is placed the host (the bread) from the Eucharist for people to see and worship. Common in the Roman Catholic Church and also known in some areas of the Anglican Church.

Morning Prayer – the ordered prayer of the Church, which form part of a whole series of prayer for different times of the day, called The Divine Office

Mosaics – a common art form often found in many churches, where the picture is made up of individual coloured tiles.

Moses – the founder and lawgiver of Israel. According to the Book of Exodus he was born in Egypt when the life Hebrew children was threatened by the Egyptians. He was hidden in a basket and rescued by Pharaoh’s. After living the life of a shepherd, he was called By God to rescue the people of Israel from Slavery and was given the Law (ten Commandments) by God on Mount Sinai

Mount of Olives – this is the highest point in the range of hills East of Jerusalem and was a place that Jesus went to on many occasions. He was met here by the crowd on Palm Sunday and it’s from here that he ascended into heaven. Near the foot of the Mount of Olives is the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus was arrested.