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{{Template:Clergy}}The '''Deacon''' is the third and lowest degree of the [[major orders]] of [[clergy]] in the [[Orthodox Church]], following the [[bishop]] and the [[presbyter]]. The word ''deacon'' (in Greek διάκονος) means ''server'' and originally it referred to a person who waited on tables.

== Diaconal Ministry ==All degrees of clergy wear the sticharion. The deacon ministers sticharion is a long-sleeved tunic that reaches all the way to the [[priest]] and [[bishop]] in the divine services and assists in ground. It reminds the celebration of wearer that the [[mysteriesgrace]] of the ChurchHoly Spirit covers him as with a garment of salvation and joy. A deacon may notFor deacons, howeverthe sticharion has wide sleeves and is made of a heavier fabric than that of the priest and bishop, celebrate the mysteries by himselfwho wear their sticharia under other vestments.

With The second part of a deacon's vestments is the blessing orarion. The orarion is a narrow band of the presiding priest or bishop, material that the deacon leads wears wrapped around his body and draped over his left shoulder. It represents the people in the collective prayers and reads from grace of the Holy Scriptures during Spirit that in ordination anoints the divine servicesdeacon like oil. He It is also responsible for the decorum principal vestment of the public worship deacon and calls without it he cannot serve. When the deacon leads the people in prayers or invites them to attention at appropriate timeshe holds one end of his orarion in his right hand and raises it. In addition, the deacon may perform other tasks related to Church life from time to time with the blessing The priest's [[epitrachelion]] and at the direction bishop's [[omophorion]] are specialized types of his priest or bishopthe orarion.

A The final parts of a deacon may be blessed by his bishop and parish priest to distribute 's vestments are the [[Eucharist]] to epimanikia. The epimanikia are cuffs that are worn around the faithfulwrists, either from tied by a second [[chalice]] at a regular [[liturgy]] where a priest is serving or in connection with a [[typika]] service that is celebrated when long cord. These are also worn by the bishop and priest is absent. In neither case, however, does They serve the practical purpose of keeping the inner garments out of the deacon consecrate way during the [[Holy Gifts]]services. The deacon has no ability or authority to consecrate They also remind the Holy Gifts on wearer that he serves not by his ownstrength but with the help of God.

== Rankings *Assisting in the celebration of Deacons ==the [[mysteries]] of the ChurchIn *Leading the degree of their ordination, all deacons are equal. Nevertheless, just as people in the collective prayers (with bishops and presbyters, there are distinctions the blessing of administrative rank among deacons. A senior deacon of a cathedral the presiding priest or principal church may be awarded bishop)*Reading from the Scriptures during the title [[protodeacon]] and claim precedence when serving divine services (with other deacons. The chief deacon who is attached to the person blessing of a the presiding priest or bishop is called an )*Keeping the decorum of the public worship, including calling people to attention at appropriate times*Any tasks of the [[archdeaconsubdeacon]. A deacon who is also a monastic is called a ] or [[hierodeaconreader]]*Other tasks related to Church life, with the blessing and direction of his priest or bishop.

What a deacon does may depend on jurisdiction - some consider the diaconate as a short interval before the priesthood - but, where permanency or longevity in the diaconate is prized, deacons will often head educational programs and youth groups, perform hospital visitation, missionary work, and conduct social welfare projects. ===Allowances===Deacons are permitted to wear a cassock; this is done as a sign of his suppression of his own tastes, will and desires, and his canonical obedience to God, his bishop and the liturgical and canonical norms of the Church. Deacons are also permitted to wear the exoraso (or ryassa). In jurisdictions that utilise clergy shirts, deacons generally wear a clergy shirt with collar. During services, the deacon is usually vested in a sticharion with an orarion that hangs over the left shoulder; with the exception of around the consecration of Communion, when the deacon will, for practicality, arrange his sticharion like a subdeacon. In addition, to complete his duties, the deacon is permitted to touch the Table of Oblation, the Altar, and to move through the Royal Doors. ===Restrictions===The place of a deacon is to serve the community and to lead prayers. He must have the blessing of the presiding priest or bishop to put on his vestments and serve. A deacon may not celebrate the sacraments by himself; he may not give blessings; he may not consecrate the [[Holy Gifts]]. ==Contemporary Practice=====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 became an almost exclusive liturgical function where the deacons only assist at the celebration of the Church services, helping in other areas like any other knowledgeable member of the laity. === Rankings of deacons ===Sacramentally, all deacons are equal. However, they are ranked and serve by seniority according to the date of their ordination.  Just as with bishops and presbyters, there are distinctions of administrative rank among deacons. A senior deacon of a cathedral or principal church may be awarded the title ''protodeacon'' and claim precedence when serving with other deacons. The chief deacon who is attached to the person of a bishop is called an ''archdeacon''. A deacon who is also a monastic is called a ''hierodeacon''. === Etiquette ===For formal occasions (for example, in the heading of a letter or when introducing a speaker), one would politely address or refer to a deacon as “The "The Rev. Deacon [John Smith]." ''Deacon'' is often [[Abbreviations|abbreviated]] ''Dcn.'' or ''Dn.'' (though the second is used as an abbreviation for [[dean]]). In informal settings, for example, in normal conversation, it is appropriate to simply refer to a deacon as "Deacon [John]", "Father [John]", or "Father Deacon [John]", depending on the tradition. Deacons cannot bless, so it is inappropriate to ask a deacon for his blessing; blessings are given only by bishops and priests. In some traditions, however, such as in Greece, the deacon's hand (as well as the hand of an abbess of a monastery or, occasionally, an unordained monastic) is sometimes kissed as a sign of respect for the Holy Spirit which operates through that person's office. Neither kissing a deacon's hand nor not kissing it is strictly "right" or "wrong." ==See also==* [[Deaconess]]* [[Diakonissa]] == External links ==*[http://www.deacon.ru/ The Ministry of Deacon] (in Russian)*[http://www.orthodox.net/ustav/bulgakov-deacon.html The Deacon] (from the Bulgakov handbook)*[http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/praxis/clergy_etiquette.aspx Clergy Etiquette] [[Category:Clergy]] [[bg:Дякон]][[fr:Diacre]][[mk:Ѓакон]][[ro:Diacon]]