deacon etymology

Etymology:

  • Middle English: dekene
  • Old French: diacre
  • Latin: diaconus
  • Greek: διάκονος (diakonos)

Meaning:

  • A minister of the Christian church, ranked below a priest.
  • A person ordained to perform sacred duties, such as administering sacraments and assisting in worship services.

Origin:

The word "deacon" comes from the Greek word "diakonos," which means "servant" or "helper." In the early Christian church, deacons were responsible for practical tasks such as distributing food to the poor, caring for the sick, and assisting in worship services. Over time, the role of deacons evolved to include more spiritual and administrative responsibilities.

In the Roman Catholic Church, deacons are ordained ministers who have received the sacrament of Holy Orders. They are typically ordained for a specific period of time and may later be ordained as priests. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, deacons are also ordained ministers, but they do not receive the same level of authority as priests.

In Protestant churches, the role of deacons varies. In some churches, deacons are ordained ministers responsible for pastoral care, outreach, and administration. In other churches, deacons are lay leaders who serve in a variety of roles, such as assisting in worship services, teaching Sunday school, and providing support to the congregation.

deacon relate terms

  • archdeacon

    Etymology Old English ĕrcedēacon Proto Germanic erki djaknu Greek ἀρχιδιά

  • arch

    Etymology The word arch is derived from the Latin word arcus which means bow or

  • deacon

    Etymology Middle English dekene Old French diacre Latin diaconus Greek διάκον

  • conation

    Etymology Latin conari meaning to strive attempt endeavor Meaning The ment

  • deacon

    Etymology Middle English dekene Old French diacre Latin diaconus Greek διάκον

  • ratiocination

    Etymology From Latin ratiocinatio from ratiocinari to reason from ratio reason

  • priest

    Etymology The word priest derives from the Greek word presbyteros meaning elder or

  • reverend

    Etymology Late Latin reverendus from the verb revereri to stand in awe of Proto In

  • order

    Etymology From Middle English ordre ordre from Anglo Norman ordre from Old French or

  • acolyte

    Etymology From Middle English acolite from Old French acolit from Ecclesiastical Lati

  • Israel

    Etymology The name Israel derives from the Hebrew word Yisrael יִשְׂרָאֵל

  • protest

    Etymology The word protest comes from the Late Latin word protestari meaning to bea

  • fashion

    Etymology The word fashion comes from the Old French word facon meaning make or

  • connoisseur

    Etymology French connoisseur Latin cognoscere to know to be acquainted with