Deacon

A deacon is a member of the diaconate, an office in Christian churches that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions.

[2] Recent research has highlighted the role of the deacon "as a co-operator" and "go-between," emphasizing their intermediary position in early Christian communities.

[4][5][6] Newer research emphasizes that while the deacons' role was indeed to help, their assistance involved more liturgical, teaching and leadership functions than purely charitable work.

[10][11] The Synod of Arles in 314 and the First Council of Nicaea denied deacons the possibility of presiding over the Eucharist even in exceptional cases.

Following the recommendations of the Second Vatican Council (Lumen gentium 29) and the instigation of the Josephites (whose work with African Americans necessitated increased vocational opportunity for married men), in 1967 Pope Paul VI issued the motu proprio Sacrum Diaconatus Ordinem, reviving the practice of ordaining to the diaconate men who were not candidates for priestly ordination.

[18] Unlike most clerics, permanent deacons who also have a secular profession have no right to receive a salary for their ministry,[19] but many dioceses opt to remunerate them anyway.

[20] During the Mass, the deacon's responsibilities include assisting the priest, proclaiming the Gospel, announcing the General Intercessions, and distributing Communion.

While in ancient history their tasks and competencies varied, today deacons cannot hear confession and give absolution, anoint the sick, or celebrate Mass.

The decision as to whether deacons wear the Roman collar as street attire is left to the discretion of each bishop for his own diocese.

In keeping with Eastern tradition, the deacon is not permitted to perform any sacred mysteries (sacraments) on their own, except for Baptism in extremis (in danger of death), conditions under which anyone, including the laity, may baptize.

Diaconal vestments are the sticharion (alb, although it has come to resemble the western dalmatic), the orarion (deacon's stole), and the epimanikia (cuffs).

Also, in the Greek practice, a deacon wears the clerical kamilavka (cylindrical head covering) with a rim at the top.

As far as street clothing is concerned, immediately following ordination a deacon receives a blessing to wear the exorasson (Arabic: Jib'be, Slavonic: riasa), an outer cassock with wide sleeves, in addition to the anterion (Slavonic: podriasnik), the inner cassock worn by all orders of clergy.

In certain jurisdictions in North America and Western Europe, a Roman collar is often worn, although this is not a traditional or widespread practice.

According to the practice of the Greek Orthodox Church of America, in keeping with the tradition of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the most common way to address a deacon is "Father".

"[14] An ordained deacon's charism includes "visits, helps, and supports those in bodily or spiritual need; gives Christian nurture and teaching in the faith; is a sign of merciful kindness in the parish and society at large, and in all things serves Christ in the neighbour".

Anglican deacons may baptize and in some dioceses are granted licences to solemnize matrimony, usually under the instruction of their parish priest and bishop.

[32] Deacons may assist the elder in the administration of Sacraments, but must receive special approval from a bishop before presiding over Baptism and holy communion.

The Methodist Church of Great Britain also has a permanent diaconate—based on an understanding of the New Testament that deacons have an equal, but distinct ministry from presbyters.

[34] The original Wesleyan Deaconess Order was founded by Thomas Bowman Stephenson in 1890, following observation of new ministries in urban areas in the previous years.

The primary focus of the ministry of deacons is on care and compassion for the poor and oppressed and in seeking social justice for all people.

In the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches, deacons can be any adult male member of the congregation who is in good standing.

Their other roles are to accompany the pastor during Communion by handing out the remembrances of bread and wine (or grape juice) and to set a good example for others to follow.

Their administrative duties sometimes include oversight of the treasury, Sunday school curriculum, transportation, and various outreach ministries.

Duties include: Iglesia ni Cristo's deacons serve as etiquette checkers and offering collectors for males during worship services, with deaconesses as their female counterparts.

Deacons among Jehovah's Witnesses are referred to as ministerial servants, claiming it preferable to translate the descriptive Greek term used in the Bible rather than merely transliterate it as though it were a title.

[52] In 2016, the Holy Synod of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and all Africa voted to reinstate the female diaconate; in the following year, it ordained six sub-deaconesses in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

[53][54][55] The Greek word diakonos (διάκονος) 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".

In Scots, 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.

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.