Deacon – Faith Unto Ages

The Diaconate in the Oriental Orthodox Tradition

“For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Timothy 3:13.

The word ‘Deacon’ comes from the Greek word ‘διάκονος’, meaning a servant or minister. Jesus says of the servant – “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor” (John 12:26). In Orthodox theology, the Deacon is called to imitate Christ the Servant, who “did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45).

“Having therefore received a charge, and having been fully assured through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and confirmed in the word of God with full assurance of the Holy Ghost, they (the apostles) went forth with the glad tidings that the kingdom of God should come. So preaching everywhere in country and town, they appointed their first-fruits, when they had proved them by the Spirit, to be bishops and deacons unto them that should believe. And this they did in no new fashion; for indeed it had been written concerning bishops and deacons from very ancient times; for thus said the scripture in a certain place, I will appoint their bishops in righteousness and their deacons in faith.”
- St. Clement of Rome (A.D. 96).