A Deacon Was Originally a Servant
A deacon is an ordained minister of a junior rank. The Greek word simply means servant or attendant.
A deacon is an ordained minister ranking below a priest. The Greek *diakonos* means servant or attendant, and the role began as practical service — distributing food and caring for the poor. In many churches the diaconate is a stage before priesthood; in others it is a permanent order in its own right.
- A junior ordained minister. *An ordained deacon.*
- A lay officer in some churches. *The church deacons met.*
- Diaconate — the office of a deacon. *The permanent diaconate.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | deacon | A parish deacon. |
| Plural | deacons | The deacons voted. |
| Female | deaconess | A trained deaconess. |
| Noun | diaconate | Entering the diaconate. |
| Related | archdeacon | The archdeacon. |
How it is used in a sentence
- He was ordained deacon last year.Anglican and Catholic practice.
- Deacons distributed food to the poor.The earliest role.
- The diaconate can be permanent.Not always a step to priesthood.
Church orders
- Deacon — the first order of ordained ministry
- Priest or presbyter — the second order
- Bishop — the third, with oversight of a diocese
- Archdeacon — a senior administrative post
- Permanent deacon — one who remains in the diaconate
From Late Latin *diaconus*, from Greek *diakonos*, a servant or messenger. The office is described in the New Testament.
What does a deacon do?
Duties vary by church. Typically a deacon assists at services, preaches, and has a particular responsibility for charitable work.
Is deacon a permanent role?
In some churches it is a stage before priesthood; in others, including the Catholic Church, there is a permanent diaconate.