Stone

heaps (see Makka) are commonly connected with Arab and Jewish superstition. Jerome finds the custom mentioned in the Bible (Prov. xxvi, 8) where the Vulgate reads “as one who casts a stone on the stone heap.” The cairns were often gradually formed round a central Hermes or menhir. Maronites. The Christians of the Lebanon, followers of a patriarch John Maran (680 to 707 ac.). They were Monothelites believing in the “single will” of Christ, but in 1182, when the power of the Latins was at its greatest height in Syria, they renounced this tenet, and were reconciled with Rome, the Pope conceding to them the right to retain a married clergy, the priests (as among the Greeks) being married before ordination. They claim a yet earlier origin as disciples of Mar Marin, a hermit of the 6th century A.c, His celebrated hermitage—a labyrinth of rock-cut caves, immediately E. of the main sources of the Orontes, as described by Col. Conder (Heth and Moab)—is still much revered though deserted. The Maronites were ma acred by the Druzes in 1860, which led to the establishment of the Christian “Province of the Lebanon” where they now form the large majority of the population (see Druzes). In 1584 a Maronite college was established at Rome. It is said that some 8000 of the Maronites (or 1 in 80 of the population) are either priests, monks, or nuns. The slopes of Lebanon are covered with their monasteries and churches. After legal enquiry in 1766 (see Mr Bli , Quart. Stat. Pal. Expl. Fund, April 1892) the Roman propaganda reported “infamous scenes of debauchery, and horrid cruelties” in this region. The Church now owns a sixth of the lands, and the monks lead a usele and idle life, while the priests are little esteemed by the laity. Many curious superstitions, charms, and legends, survive among Maronites, in connection with St Antony, and Mar Marin. They light fires on the hillsides in autumn (see John) as a religious custom. Mars. Latin. See Ares, Mar, and Maruts. He is the “ crusher,” and god of war and of storm, among Romans. Martan. Mart and. Matan. A lingam temple near Islam a bad, at the foot of the Takt-i-Suleiman (“‘Solomon’s throne ”") which — overlooks Sri-nagar. On the summit of the mountain (or throne of Solomon) is a square platform, with a pillar at each angle, and a _ lingam in a Yoni in the centre, all these being of rock. The temple — of Mart and is roofle , but the central lingam is covered by a dome, and is daily anointed. Arab inscriptions speak of Mughal worship at the site. Gen. Cunning ham thinks that the shrine is as old as about 370 a.c. It stands in a quadrangle measuring 220 by 124 feet, and — the black marble pillars are fluted, and carved with quaint figures. Martu. Akkadian: “ way down,” or “west.” The name of a deity who presided over the west. The word was rendered Akharu (“west”) in Semitic speech, and the god was identified with the Semitic Rimmon, as deity of the west wind, and of storms. Maruts. Sanskrit: “the crushers” or “pounders” (see Mars), who were stormy winds (see Ganesa); they were sons of Kasyapa (the sun), and of Diti—moist air. They were separated in the womb by Indra, and aided him in his wars (see Vritra) armed with lightning. They are also called “ Rudras, fierce impetuous rain gods, sons of ocean and earth.” Siva is said to have found them as “ shapele births of: Diti,” and—at the request of Parvati—to have changed them into — comely boys, and worshipers of Agni. Mary. Miriam. As a Semitic name this has no true derivation, though it has been connected with Marah “bitter.” [As Egyptian, however, Meri-amu may mean “ mother’s love,” and Miriam the sister of Moses, after whom Mary was called, has been thought to bear an Egyptian name.—Ep.] 530