DEACON

DEACON – Literally, “servant.” Originally seven deacons were ordained to assist the apostles with the temporal affairs of the Church ^{(Acts 6:1-7)}. This established office has continued in the Church. A deacon assists the bishop and priest, but cannot preside over the Eucharist, give blessings or pronounce absolution. In the New Testament ^(Rom.16:1) and the early Church, women also served as deacons or deaconesses ^{(1 Tim. 3:8 13).}