deacon
Derivation
- Greek: diakonos, minister
Profile
The highest of those in major orders but the lowest in rank of the hierarchical orders instituted by Christ. The Roman Pontifical states his duties thus
- to minister to the altar
- to baptize
- to preach
The diaconate is of divine institution. When in their vestments, deacons wear a stole that wraps across the left shoulder.
Additional Information
- Saints who were Deacons
- New Catholic Dictionary: archdeacon
- Catholic Encyclopedia: deacon
- New Catholic Dictionary: deaconess
- patron saints of deacons
MLA Citation
- “deacon”. New Catholic Dictionary. CatholicSaints.Info. 21 August 2018. Web. 27 January 2021. <>