Saint Stephen, one of the first seven deacons in the Christian Church, vested in a dalmatic, holding a Gospel Book and a martyr's palm; around his head are three stones (from the Demidoff Altarpiece, 1476, by Carlo Crivelli). Vestments are liturgical garments and articles associated primarily with the Christian religions especially the Latin Rite and other Roman Catholics The dalmatic is a long wide-sleeved Tunic, which serves as a liturgical Vestment in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and United Methodist The Gospel Book, or Book of the Gospels ( Greek:, Evangélion) is a Codex or bound volume containing one or more of the four Gospels The term martyr ( Greek μάρτυς martys "witness" is most commonly used today to describe an individual who sacrifices their life (or personal freedom A palm branch (or palm Frond or palm stem) usually refers to the leaves of the Arecaceae (sometimes known by the names Palmae An altarpiece is a picture or Relief representing a religious subject and suspended in a frame behind the Altar of a church "Crivelli" redirects to this page See Crivelli (surname for more

Deacon is a role in the Christian Church which is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions. Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings In many traditions, the diaconate is a clerical office; in others, it is for laity. Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given Religion. In religious organizations the laity comprises all persons who are not Clergy.

The word deacon (and deaconess) is derived from the Greek word diakonos (διάκονος), which literally means 'through the dust' and is often translated servant or waiter. Deaconess (and also Deacon) comes from a Greek word diakonos (διακονος ^[1] It is generally believed that the office of deacon originated in the selection of seven men, among them Stephen, to assist with the charitable work of the early church as recorded in Acts 6. ^[2][3] Deaconesses are mentioned by Pliny the Younger in a letter to Trajan dated c. Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus, born Gaius Caecilius or Gaius Caecilius Cilo (61/63 - ca Marcus Ulpius Nerva Traianus, commonly known as Trajan ( September 18 53 &ndash August 9 117) was a Roman Emperor who 112. The exact relationship between Deacons and Deaconesses varies. In some traditions a deaconess is simply a female deacon; in others, deaconesses constitute a separate order.

A biblical description of the qualities required of a deacon, and of his household, can be found in 1 Timothy 3:8-13.

Among the more prominent deacons in history are Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr; Philip the Evangelist, whose baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch is recounted in Acts 8:26-40; Saint Lawrence, an early Roman martyr; and Saint Romanos the Melodist, a prominent early hymnographer. Philip the Evangelist appears several times in the Acts of the Apostles. "Romanos" redirects here See Romanus for the Latin form of the same name or Romanos Spain for the municipality in Spain

The title is also used for the president, chairman or head of a trades guild in Scotland. A guild is an association of craftsmen in a particular trade The earliest guilds were formed as confraternities of workers Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain.

Roman Catholicism, Orthodoxy, and Anglicanism

The diaconate is one of the three ordained offices in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodox churches. In a general sense the term Holy Orders refers to those in the Christian religion who have been ordained in Apostolic Succession. Anglicanism is a tradition of Christian faith Churches in this tradition either have historical connections to the Church of England or have similar beliefs The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world Oriental Orthodoxy is the communion of Eastern Christian Churches that recognize only three Ecumenical councils — the First Council of Nicaea, the The other two offices are those of priest and of bishop. A priest or priestess is a person having the authority or power to administer religious rites in particular rites of sacrifice to and propitiation of a deity or deities A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight

While the permanent diaconate was maintained from earliest Apostolic times to the present in the Eastern churches (Orthodox and Catholic), it gradually disappeared in the Western church (with a few notable exceptions) during the first millennium. The diaconate continued in a vestigial form as a temporary, final step along the course to ordination to the priesthood. In the 20th Century, the permanent diaconate was restored in many Western churches, most notably in Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion.

In Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican churches, deacons assist priests in their pastoral and administrative duties, but report directly to the bishop. They have a distinctive role in the liturgy, their main tasks being to proclaim the Gospel, preach, and assist in the administration of the Eucharist. A liturgy is the customary public worship done by a specific religious group according to their particular traditions This article is about the canonical books of the New Testament The Eucharist, also called Holy Communion or Lord's Supper and other names is a Christian Sacrament by which in a common interpretation those

Roman Catholicism

Roman Catholic deacon wearing a dalmatic. The dalmatic is a long wide-sleeved Tunic, which serves as a liturgical Vestment in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and United Methodist

In the years just prior to the Second Vatican Council, the only men ordained as deacons were seminarians, who received the order several months before priestly ordination. The Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, or Vatican II, was the twentieth century Ecumenical Council of the Roman Catholic Church. Following the recommendations of the council (in Lumen Gentium 29), in 1967 Pope Paul VI issued the motu proprio Sacrum Diaconatus Ordinem, restoring the ancient practice of ordaining to the diaconate men who were not candidates for priestly ordination. For an English translation of the text see Dogmatic Constitution on the Church ''Lumen Gentium'' Pope A motu proprio ( Latin "on his own impulse" is a document issued by the Pope on his own initiative and personally signed by him These men are known as permanent deacons; those ordained to the diaconate who intend to proceed to, or are in the process of seminary studies leading to, priestly ordination are called transitional deacons. In the Roman Catholic church a transitional deacon is a celibate man who has been ordained a Deacon and who intends to become a Priest The permanent diaconate is particularly popular in the United States. Details about the permanent diaconate are outlined in a 2005 document of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States. "

The ministry of the deacon in the Roman Catholic Church is described as one of service in three areas: the Word, the Liturgy and Charity. The deacon's ministry of the Word includes proclaiming the Gospel at the Eucharist, preaching and teaching. His ministry at the Altar includes various parts of the Mass proper to the deacon, including being the proper minister of the cup. The ministry of charity involves service to the poor and marginalized and working with parishioners to help them become more involved in such ministry.

Deacons can administer the sacrament of Baptism and serve as the church's witness at the sacrament of Holy Matrimony, which the bride and groom administer to each other. Deacons may preside at funerals, the Liturgy of the Hours, various services such as Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and they may give blessings. This article refers to the Liturgy of the Hours as a specific manifestation of public prayer in the Roman Catholic Church. They cannot give absolution, anoint the sick, or say Mass. In the liturgy, it is proper for the deacon to proclaim the Gospel (in fact, a priest, bishop, or even the Pope should not proclaim the Gospel if a deacon is present)^[4] and distribute Holy Communion. Transitional and permanent deacons both have the faculty to preach the homily by right of their ordination unless the priest presider retains that ministry to himself in any particular liturgy.

The vestment most particularly associated with the Roman Catholic deacon is the dalmatic. Vestments are liturgical garments and articles associated primarily with the Christian religions especially the Latin Rite and other Roman Catholics The dalmatic is a long wide-sleeved Tunic, which serves as a liturgical Vestment in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and United Methodist Deacons, like priests and bishops, wear the stole; however, deacons place the stole over their left shoulder and it hangs across to their right side, while priests and bishops wear it around the neck.

Permanent deacons often serve in parish or other ministry as their time permits, since they typically have other full time employment. They may also act as parish administrators. With the passage of time, more and more deacons are serving in full-time ministries in parishes, hospitals, prisons, and in diocesan positions. Deacons often work directly in ministry to the marginalized inside and outside the church: the poor, the sick, the hungry, the imprisoned.

Married individuals may be ordained as permanent deacons; however, marriage after ordination is not permitted unless approved by the local Bishop. Under some circumstances, however, permanent deacons who have been widowed can receive permission to remarry. (See also clerical celibacy. Clerical celibacy is the practice in various religious traditions, in which Clergy, Monastics and those (of either sex in religious orders adopt a ) The wife of a permanent deacon often is considered a partner in his ordained ministry, leading to the popular concept of "deacon couples. " In many dioceses, the wife of the deacon candidate undertakes the same education and training her husband does.

A permanent deacon is not styled "Father" as a priest would be, but as "Deacon," abbreviated variously as "Dn. A style of office, or honorific, is a term which by Tradition or Law precedes a reference to a person who holds a post or Title, or to the " or "Dcn. " This preferred method of address is stated in the 2005 document of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States. Although some dioceses use the title "Rev. Mr. " (or "Rev. Dr. " in the case of Physicians or Ph. D. s) for all deacons, this title is more properly applied to those in the transitional diaconate. The decision as to whether deacons wear the Roman collar as street attire is left to the discretion of each diocesan bishop for his own diocese. Increasingly, dioceses throughout the world are opting for clerical dress to distinguish deacons, who are clerics, from lay ministers.

In the Roman Catholic Church, women are not ordained to the diaconate as women cannot receive Holy Orders. In a general sense the term Holy Orders refers to those in the Christian religion who have been ordained in Apostolic Succession. There were women deacons in the early Church, who helped to prepare adult women for baptism, and performed other ministerial tasks. The office of Deaconess existed in the West until about the 6th century and in the East until about the 11th century. There are conflicting scholarly opinions as to whether the women deacons of history were sacramentally ordained, although liturgies for the installation of deaconesses were significantly similar to those for male deacons. ^[5] Roger Gryson argues that some historical deaconesses received sacramental ordination in The Ministry of Women in the Early Church (Liturgical Press, 1976, ISBN 0-8146-0899-X), while Aimé Georges Martimort argues that no historical deaconesses received sacramental ordination in Deaconesses: An Historical Study (Ignatius Press, 1986, ISBN 0-89870-114-7). Phyllis Zagano presents a contemporary argument for the restoration of the female diaconate that does not depend on a resolution of their debate, but rather details her original argument from systematic theology, canon law, sociology and history in Holy Saturday: An Argument for the Restoration of the Female Diaconate in the Catholic Church (Crossroad/Herder, 2000, ISBN 0824518322).

Eastern Orthodoxy and Eastern Catholicism

Greek Orthodox deacon in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, wearing an orarion over his sticharion. The Greek Orthodox Church ( Greek: Ἑλληνορθόδοξη Ἐκκλησία Hellēnorthódoxē Ekklēsía) is formed by several autocephalous churches Church_of_the_nativity_bethjpg|thumb|200px|View of The Church of the Nativity from Manger Square]]The Church of the Nativity ( كنيسة المهد) in Bethlehem Bethlehem ( بيت لحم,, lit "House of Meat" Βηθλεέμ Bethleém בית לחם Beit Lehem, lit "House of Bread" is a The Orarion (Greek; Slavonic Орарь orar' is the distinguishing vestment of the Deacon in the Eastern Orthodox Church and Eastern Catholic Churches The sticharion (also stikharion or stichar; Greek στιχάριον Slavonic стихарь is a liturgical Vestment of the Eastern On his head he wears the clerical kamilavka. A kamilavka ( kamilavkion (καμιλαύκιον kalymmavkhion (καλυμμαύχιον or kalymmavchi (καλυμαύχι is an item of

In addition to reading the Gospel and assisting in the administration of Holy Communion, the deacon censes the icons and people, calls the people to prayer, leads the litanies, and has a role in the dialogue of the Anaphora. This article is about the canonical books of the New Testament The Eucharist, also called Holy Communion or Lord's Supper and other names is a Christian Sacrament by which in a common interpretation those A thurible is a metal Censer suspended from chains in which Incense is burned during Worship services An icon (from Greek εἰκών eikōn, "image" is a religious work of art most commonly a painting from Eastern Christianity. Ektenia (from ἐκτένεια ekténeia; literally "diligence" often called simply Litany, is a prayerful petition in the Eastern Orthodox The Anaphora is the most solemn part of the Divine liturgy, Mass, or other Christian Communion rite where the offerings of bread and wine are consecrated In keeping with Eastern tradition he is not permitted to perform any Sacred Mysteries (sacraments) on his own, except for Baptism in extremis (in danger of death), conditions under which anyone, including the laity, may baptize. The term sacred mysteries generally denotes the area of Supernatural phenomena associated with a Divinity or a religious ideology. M N O When assisting at a normal baptism, it is often the deacon who goes down into the water with the one being baptized (Acts 8:38).

Prior to his ordination, a deacon must be either married or a tonsured monk. The laying on of hands is a religious practice found throughout the world in varying forms Tonsure is the practice of some Christian churches mystics Buddhist novices and Monks and some Hindu temples of cutting the Hair from the Deacons may not marry after being ordained, though some bishops do allow dispensation from this rule as economia. In the Eastern Orthodox and Greek-Catholic Churches and in the teaching of the Church Fathers which undergirds the theology of those Churches economy According to the canons of the Orthodox Church, a married deacon must be in his first marriage and his wife must be Orthodox. Canon law is internal ecclesiastical law governing the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox churches and the Anglican Communion of churches

Diaconal vestments are the sticharion (dalmatic), the orarion (deacon's stole), and the epimanikia (cuffs). Vestments are liturgical garments and articles associated primarily with the Christian religions especially the Latin Rite and other Roman Catholics The sticharion (also stikharion or stichar; Greek στιχάριον Slavonic стихарь is a liturgical Vestment of the Eastern The Orarion (Greek; Slavonic Орарь orar' is the distinguishing vestment of the Deacon in the Eastern Orthodox Church and Eastern Catholic Churches Epimanikia (singular epimanikion) are liturgical Vestments of the Eastern Orthodox Church and Eastern Catholic Churches. The last are worn under his sticharion, not over it as does a priest or bishop. In the Greek practice, a deacon from the time of his ordination wears the "doubled-orarion", meaning it is passed over the left shoulder, under the right arm, and then crossed over the left shoulder (see photograph, right). In the Slavic practice, the deacon wears a simple orarion which is only draped over the left shoulder. In the Greek practice, he wears the clerical kamilavka (cylindrical head covering) with a rim at the top. A kamilavka ( kamilavkion (καμιλαύκιον kalymmavkhion (καλυμμαύχιον or kalymmavchi (καλυμαύχι is an item of In Slavic practice, a hierodeacon (monastic deacon) wears the simple black kamilavka of a monk (without the rim), but he removes the monastic veil (see klobuk) when he is vested; a married deacon would not wear a kamilavka unless it is given to him by the bishop as an honorary award; the honorary kamilavka is purple in color, and may be awarded to either married or monastic clergy. In Eastern Orthodox Christianity, a Hierodeacon ( Greek: Ηεροδιάκονος Ierodiákonos; Slavonic: Ierodiakón) sometimes A klobuk is an item of Clerical clothing worn by Orthodox Christian and Eastern Catholic monastics and Bishops especially in the

As far as street clothing is concerned, immediately following his ordination the deacon receives a blessing to wear the Exorasson (Arabic: Jib'be, Slavonic: Riassa), an outer cassock with wide sleeves, in addition to the Anterion (Slavonic: Podraznik), the inner cassock worn by all orders of clergy. The cassock, an item of Clerical clothing, is a long close-fitting ankle-length Robe worn by clerics of the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Arabic (ar الْعَرَبيّة (informally ar عَرَبيْ) in terms of the number of speakers is the largest living member of the Semitic language Church Slavonic (also Church Slavic, Old Bulgarian) is the Liturgical language of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Macedonian Orthodox In the Slavic practice, married clergy will often wear grey, while monastic clergy wear black. In North America and Western Europe, a Roman collar is often worn, although more traditional churches tend to shun it. A clerical collar is a piece of Clerical clothing. It is a Detachable collar that buttons onto a Clergy shirt or rabbat (vest being fastened by two metal

A protodeacon (Greek: πρωτοδιάκονος: protodiakonos, "first deacon") is a distinction of honor awarded to senior deacons, usually serving on the staff of the diocesan bishop. Protodeacon derives from the Greek proto- meaning 'first' and diakonos, meaning 'deacon' An archdeacon is similar, but is among the monastic clergy. A position of archdeacon is a senior position in Anglicanism, Syrian Malabar Nasrani, and in some other Christian denominations above that of most Protodeacons and archdeacons use a double-length orarion even if it is not the local tradition for all deacons to use it. In the Slavic tradition a deacon may be awarded the doubled-orarion even if he is not a protodeacon or archdeacon.

Depending on local tradition, deacons are styled as either "Father Deacon," "Deacon Father," or often simply "Deacon" or "Father. "

Anciently, the Eastern Churches ordained deaconesses. Deaconess (and also Deacon) comes from a Greek word diakonos (διακονος This practice fell into desuetude in the second millennium, but has been revived (not without controversy) in some churches. The Coptic Orthodox Church has begun ordaining women deacons, and Saint Nectarios of Pentapolis was reputed to have ordained a number of nuns as deaconesses in convents. History of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria Apostolic foundation Egypt is identified in the Bible as the place of refuge that the It should be noted that historically, deaconesses were never considered to hold the same position in the hierarchy as deacons. Deaconesses would assist in anointing and baptising women, and in ministering to the spiritual needs of the women of the community. After the church ceased ordaining deaconesses, these duties largly fell to the nuns and to the priests' wives. A Nun is a Woman who has taken special vows committing her to a religious life

(See also clerical celibacy. Clerical celibacy is the practice in various religious traditions, in which Clergy, Monastics and those (of either sex in religious orders adopt a )

Syriac Orthodox

In the Syriac Orthodox tradition, different ranks among the deacons are specifically assigned with particular duties. The six ranks of deaconate are:

1. Olmoyo (Faithful)
2. Maudyono (Confessor of Faith)
3. Masamrono (Singer)
4. Korooyo (Reader)
5. Youfadyakno (Sub-deacon)
6. Msamsono (Full Deacon)

Only a full deacon or Masamsono can take the censer during the Holy Mass to assist the priest. However in the Malankara Church, because of the lack of deacons, altar assistants who do not have any rank of deaconhood assist the priest. The Jacobite Syrian Christian Church is the Malankara Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church in Kerala, India.

Anglican

An Anglican deacon wearing a purple stole over his left shoulder. Anglicanism is a tradition of Christian faith Churches in this tradition either have historical connections to the Church of England or have similar beliefs

In Anglican churches, deacons often work directly in ministry to the marginalized inside and outside the church: the poor, the sick, the hungry, the imprisoned. Unlike Orthodox and Roman Catholic deacons who may be married only before ordination, Anglican deacons are permitted to marry freely both before and after ordination, as are Anglican priests. Most deacons are preparing for priesthood, and usually only remain as deacons for about a year before being ordained priests. However, there are some deacons who remain deacons. Many provinces of the Anglican Communion ordain both women and men as deacons. See also Anglicanism The Anglican Communion is an international association of national Anglican churches Many of those provinces that ordain women to the priesthood previously allowed them to be ordained only to the diaconate. The effect of this was the creation of a large and overwhelmingly female diaconate for a time, as most men proceeded to be ordained priest after a short time as a deacon.

Anglican deacons may baptize and in some dioceses are granted licences to solemnize matrimony, usually under the instruction of their parish priest and bishop. In Christianity, baptism ( Greek, "immersing" "performing Ablutions " is the ritual act with the use of water by which one is admitted A wedding is the Ceremony in which two people are united in Marriage. A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight They commonly officiate at Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament is a devotional ceremony celebrated within the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church, as well as in some Anglican Deacons are not able to preside at the eucharist (but can lead worship with the distribution of already-consecrated Communion where this is permitted), nor can they absolve sins or pronounce a blessing in the name of the Church ^[6], (however, these last two are often permitted in an indirect form). The Eucharist, also called Holy Communion or Lord's Supper and other names is a Christian Sacrament by which in a common interpretation those Absolution is a traditional theological term for the forgiveness experienced in the traditional Churches in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It is the prohibition against deacons pronouncing a blessing in the Church's name that leads some in the church to believe that a deacon cannot properly solemnize matrimony. In most cases, deacons minister alongside other clergy.

An Anglican deacon wears an identical choir dress to an Anglican priest: cassock, surplice, tippet and academic hood. Choir dress is the vesture of the Clerics seminarians and religious of traditional churches worn for public prayer either apart from the The cassock, an item of Clerical clothing, is a long close-fitting ankle-length Robe worn by clerics of the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Priest or seminarian with censorjpg|thumb|Seminarian vested in a pleated Roman-style surplice with lace inserts holding a Thurible. A tippet is a Stole or Scarf -like narrow piece of clothing worn around the arms and above the elbow Academic dress or academical dress is traditional Clothing for academic settings primarily tertiary and sometimes secondary However, liturgically, deacons wear a stole over their left shoulder and fastened on the right side of their waist. This is worn both over the surplice and the alb. The alb, one of the liturgical Vestments of the Roman Catholic, Anglican and many Protestant churches is an ample garment of white A deacon might also wear a dalmatic. The dalmatic is a long wide-sleeved Tunic, which serves as a liturgical Vestment in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and United Methodist

Lutheran Churches

The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod

The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LC-MS) has special training and certification programs for deaconesses but not for deacons (with the exception of Spanish-speaking seminarians who become deacons (vicars) on their way to ordination as pastors. The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS founded in 1847 in Missouri, is the eighth largest Protestant denomination in the United States and the second-largest ) Most LC-MS deaconesses are trained at Concordia University - Chicago or one of their two seminaries (St. Louis, MO or Fort Wayne, IN). Concordia University Chicago is a private Lutheran Liberal arts University located in the Suburb of River Forest, Illinois Concordia Seminary is located in Clayton Missouri, an inner-ring suburb on the western border of St The Concordia Theological Seminary is an institution of theological higher education of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS located in Fort Wayne Indiana

Deaconesses assist pastors in human care ministry and other roles with the goals of caring for those in need, reaching women who prefer female leadership and freeing pastors to focus on word and sacrament ministry. Acts chapter 6, verse 2 describes the function of deacons (servants) then and now, "So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. "

Deaconesses are installed, not ordained, and remain lay women. The word "ordain" is to be reserved for the pastoral office. ("The Ministry: Offices, Procedures, and Nomenclature" A Report of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, September 1981, p. 22)

Under most circumstances, deaconesses and deacons do not preach or administer the sacraments. Special exceptions may be made for deacons (vicars) who are training to become pastors but must be given by the District President in writing.

(A vicar in the LC-MS is a third year seminarian who is doing an internship under a pastor. It should not be confused with the same term in the Anglican communion. )

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Deaconess Community (ELCA/ELCIC)

The Deaconess Community, a community of women serving in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) was formed in 1884. These women, who bear the title of 'Sister,' proclaim the gospel through ministries of mercy and servant leadership on behalf of both Churches for the sake of the world. Since the 1970s the Sisters have been allowed to marry.

Diaconal Ministers (ELCA/ELCIC)

The Diaconate was recognized and rostered by the ELCA in 1993, creating a fourth 'roster' of recognized ministers (the other three being Ordained, Associates in Ministry, and Deaconess) in the churchwide body. The Community is still young, and as such is still being formed as to what styles and forms of ministry a Diaconal Minister pursues, as well as practices and traditions of the same.

Like the Anglican communion, Lutheran Diaconal Ministers are allowed to wear a stole draped sideways from one shoulder, and tied off at the waist, usually with some material left hanging below. Diaconal Ministers (the term "Deacon" is used occasionally, but not officially) are involved in preaching, assisting in worship, leading worship in leiu of an ordained pastor, and other congregational duties; they are, however, primarily called to service outside the church, in fields such as campus ministry, chaplaincy, congregational ministry, counseling, social service agency work, spiritual direction, parish and community nursing, and a range of other avenues. A Diaconal Minister is 'consecrated,' rather than 'ordained. ' This ceremony is usually presided over by a Bishop.

Also of note are the Associates in Ministry, a rostered position within the ELCA consisting of laypersons commissioned into positions of service within the church, most often as educators, musicians, and worship leaders. While there is a trend towards combining the Diaconal and Associate ministries, the 'AIM' program continues in its own right, and Associates are spread across the entirety of the churchwide body. AIMs are "commissioned" for service.

The Porvoo Lutheran Churches

The Porvoo Communion is a formally constituted union between the Anglican Churches of Ireland and Great Britain and the Lutheran Churches of most of the Scandinavian and Baltic states. The Porvoo Communion is the community formed through an agreement between twelve European churches none of which are in communion with the Roman Catholic Church or These Lutheran Churches administer Holy Orders in the same threefold Order as the Anglican Communion, with Deacons ordained to their ministry. As a result, the Porvoo agreement allows for a complete freedom of exchange of ministries (of bishops and priests, as well as deacons) between the Anglican and Lutheran churches who are signatories.

Methodism / Wesleyanism

British Methodists

Main article: Methodist diaconal order

In the Methodist Church of Great Britain, deacons and deaconesses are only created as members of a permanent order called the Methodist Diaconal Order. Ecclesiology In the Methodist Church of Great Britain, Deacons are only created as members of a permanent order called the Methodist Diaconal Order (MDO The Methodist Church of Great Britain or British Methodist Church is the largest Wesleyan / Methodist body in the United Kingdom, with congregations

Formerly, deaconesses were addressed as Sister, but in recent times (especially since the admission of men to the order) it has become more usual for deacons and deaconesses to be addressed as Deacon or Deaconess respectively.

United Methodists

A United Methodist Elder presides at the Eucharist, assisted by a Deacon. The United Methodist Church is the largest Methodist denomination and the second largest Protestant denomination in the United States. An Elder in the Methodist Church -- sometimes called a Presbyter or Minister -- is someone who has been Ordained by a Bishop to the The Eucharist, also called Holy Communion or Lord's Supper and other names is a Christian Sacrament by which in a common interpretation those

In United Methodism, the office of deacon is one of two ordained clergy offices, the other being that of the Elder. The United Methodist Church is the largest Methodist denomination and the second largest Protestant denomination in the United States. An Elder in the Methodist Church -- sometimes called a Presbyter or Minister -- is someone who has been Ordained by a Bishop to the Deacons are ordained to Word and Service and assist Elders (who are ordained to Word, Service, Sacrament, and Order) in equipping the saints for ministry. Prior to the 1996 United Methodist Book of Discipline, deacon was a term used exclusively for probationary Elders, similar to transitional deacons in other traditions. The Book of Discipline constitutes the law and doctrine of the United Methodist Church. An Elder in the Methodist Church -- sometimes called a Presbyter or Minister -- is someone who has been Ordained by a Bishop to the The current office of deacon has essentially taken the place of the former lay office of diaconal minister. There is also an office of Deaconess for certain commissioned female missionaries affiliated with the General Board of Global Ministries. Deaconess (and also Deacon) comes from a Greek word diakonos (διακονος According to a glossary from the United Methodist Church, a deacon is

United Methodist Deacons will vest much the same as Anglican Deacons, wearing a stole over their left shoulder and fastened on the right side of their waist. The United Methodist Church is the largest Methodist denomination and the second largest Protestant denomination in the United States. Sleeveless Jackets or coats, known as vests in the US and as waistcoats in the UK and Ireland This is usually worn over the alb or black pulpit robe. The alb, one of the liturgical Vestments of the Roman Catholic, Anglican and many Protestant churches is an ample garment of white The Geneva gown, also called a Pulpit gown, Pulpit Robe, or Preaching Robe, A United Methodist deacon might also wear a dalmatic, although this vestment is a more rare among Methodists. The dalmatic is a long wide-sleeved Tunic, which serves as a liturgical Vestment in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and United Methodist

Other traditions

Deacons are also appointed or elected in other Protestant denominations, though this is less commonly seen as a step towards the clerical ministry. Protestantism refers to the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated in the 16th century Protestant Reformation. The role of deacon in these denominations varies greatly from denomination to denomination; often, there will be more emphasis on administrative duties than on pastoral or liturgical duties. In some denominations, deacons' duties are only financial management and practical aid and relief. Elders handle pastoral and other administrative duties. An elder (in Greek, πρεσβυτερος; see Presbyter) in Christianity is a person valued for his Wisdom who accordingly holds a particular

Baptists

Baptists have traditionally followed the principle of the autonomy of the local church congregation, giving each church the ability to discern for themselves the interpretation of scripture. Thus, the views among Baptist churches as to who becomes a deacon and when, as well as what they do and how they go about doing it, varies greatly. Baptists recognize two ordained positions in the church as Elders (Pastors) and Deacons, as per 1 Timothy, third chapter.

There are Baptist churches where the deacons decide many of the church affairs. There are churches where deacons serve in a family ministry only. There are Baptist churches (especially in the United Kingdom, but also in the U. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located S. and elsewhere) where women are allowed to be deacons; while many Baptist churches would never consider allowing a woman to serve as a deacon.

One example would be the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches, where deacons can be any adult male member of the congregation that is in good standing. The General Association of Regular Baptist Churches (GARBC org Many African American Missionary or National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. affiliated churches have male and female deacons serving as one board and others have two separate boards of deacons and deaconesses. The National Baptist Convention USA Inc is one of the largest religious organizations among African Americans The convention has over 30000 churches and over 6000000 Most often the deacon or deacon candidate is a long-standing member of the church, being middle aged, but younger deacons are often members of a family that has had several generations in the same church. They are elected by quorum vote annually. Their roles are semi-pastoral in that they fill in for the pastor on occasion, or lead a prayer service. Their main roles are to accompany the pastor during Communion to hand out the remembrances of bread and wine ( or grape juice) and to set a good example for others to follow. The Eucharist, also called Holy Communion or Lord's Supper and other names is a Christian Sacrament by which in a common interpretation those Administrative duties sometimes include oversight of the treasury, Sunday school curriculum, transportation, and various outreach ministries.

Presbyterian Church (USA)

Individual congregations of this church denomination also ordain deacons, along with elders and trustees. An elder (in Greek, πρεσβυτερος; see Presbyter) in Christianity is a person valued for his Wisdom who accordingly holds a particular Trustee is a Legal term that refers to a holder of property on behalf of a beneficiary. Deacons may usher at services, collect monetary offerings at services, discuss congregational business matters, and help with other duties and activities to advance the local church.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

For the role of Deacon in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints[Mormon] (LDS/Mormon), see Priesthood (Mormonism) and Deacon (Mormonism). In the Latter Day Saint movement, priesthood is considered to be the power and authority of God including the authority to act as a leader in the church and to perform Deacon is a priesthood office in the Aaronic Priesthood of denominations within the Latter Day Saint movement, including The Church of Jesus Christ

Church of Christ

The role of deacons in this church is also widely varied. Generally they are put in control of various programs of a congregation. They are servants, as the etymology indicates, of the church. They are under the subjection of the elders, as is the rest of the congregation. Their qualifications are found in the New Testament, in 1 Timothy 3:8-13 (Waddey, John; et al. (1981). The title deacon is becoming obsolete, as many churches are adopting other functional terms such as ministry leaders or team leaders. The terms for overseers and deacons both focus on function and responsibility. Deacons were people with technical skills who served in the church.

New Apostolic Church

The deacon ministry is a local ministry. The New Apostolic Church ( NAC) is a chiliastic church, existing since 1879 in Germany and since 1897 in the Netherlands. A deacon mostly works in his home congregation to support the priests. If a priest is unavailable, a deacon will hold a divine service, without the act of communion (Only Priests and up can consecrate Holy Communion).

Jehovah's Witnesses

Deacons within the Jehovah's Witnesses organization are referred to as Ministerial Servants. Jehovah's Witnesses is a restorationist, millenialist Christian denomination The Organisational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses is a religious Hierarchy. They aid the Elders in congregational duties. Like the Elders, they serve as volunteers.

Cognates

The Greek word diakonos (διακονος) gave rise to the following terms from the history of Russia, not to be confused with each other: "dyak", "podyachy", "dyachok", in addition to "deacon" and "protodeacon". Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Dyak (дьяк archaic diak, диак is a historical Russian bureaucratic occupation whose meaning varied over time and approximately corresponded to the notions of "chief A Podyachy or podyachiy (подьячий sometimes подъячий from the Greek hypodiakonos "assistant servant" was an Office Dyachok was a historical name for the category of church workers in the history of Russia who were not ordained, i Protodeacon derives from the Greek proto- meaning 'first' and diakonos, meaning 'deacon'

Scots usage

In Scots language, the title deacon is used for a head-workman, a master or chairman of a trade guild, or one who is adept, expert and proficient. Scots ( The Scots leid) refers to Anglic varieties derived from early northern Middle English spoken in parts of Scotland and Northern A guild is an association of craftsmen in a particular trade The earliest guilds were formed as confraternities of workers The term deaconry refers to the office of a deacon or the trade guild under a deacon.

The most famous holder of this title was Deacon Brodie who was a cabinet-maker and president of the Incorporation of Wrights and Masons as well as being a Burgh councillor of Edinburgh, but at night led a double life as a burglar. William Brodie ( September 28, 1741 - October 1, 1788) more commonly known by his prestigious title of Deacon Brodie, was a Scottish A Burgh (ˈbʌʀə is an autonomous corporate entity in Scotland, usually a Town. Edinburgh ( ˈɛdɪnb(ərə Dùn Èideann) is the Capital of Scotland and is its second largest city after Glasgow. He is thought to have inspired the story of The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a Novella written by the Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson and first published in 1886

See Also

Cardinal Deacon

References

Church of Christ

• Introducing the Church of Christ. Star Bible Publications, Fort Worth, Texas 76182. Fort Worth is the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas and the seventeenth-largest city in the United States.
• Evangelicalism & the Stone-Campbell Movement (William R. Baker, ed. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2002) for essays on Church of Christ ecclesiology.
• Thatcher, Tom; "The Deacon in the Pauline Church" in Christ’s Victorious Church: Essays on Biblical Ecclesiology and Eschatology (Jon A. Weatherly, ed. Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2001).

Lutheran Church

• The Deaconess Community
• The Diaconal Community