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== Diaconal ministry ==
The deacon ministers to the [[priest]] and [[bishop]] in the divine services and assists in the celebration of the [[mysteries]] of the Church. A deacon may not, however, celebrate the mysteries by himself. Unlike in the west today, where all the deacon’s functions at High Mass can carried out by a priest, in the Orthodox Liturgy only a real deacon can perform the some of the diaconal functions.
With the blessing of the presiding priest or bishop, the deacon leads the people in the collective prayers and reads from the Holy Scriptures during the divine services. He is also responsible for the decorum of the public worship and calls the people to attention at appropriate times.
A deacon may be blessed by his bishop and parish priest to distribute the [[Eucharist]] to the faithful, either from a second [[chalice]] at a regular [[liturgy]] where a priest is serving or in connection with a [[typika]] service that is celebrated when the priest is absent. In neither case, however, does the deacon consecrate the [[Holy Gifts]]. The deacon has no ability or authority to consecrate the Holy Gifts on his own.
==Permanent office==
In the Orthodox Church, the diaconate is not just a step to priesthood, many deacons have no intention of ever becoming priests. They see it as a permanent office, as a position for full or part time service to the work of the Church.
Originally deacons of the Church assisted the bishops in good deeds and works of charity. But at some time in recent centuries the diaconate has become an almost exclusive liturgical function where the deacons only assist at the celebration of the Church services. But today, deacons will often head educational programs and youth groups, perform hospital visitation, missionary work, and conduct social welfare projects.
== Rankings of deacons ==
