ARCHDEACON

An Ecclesiastical olncer, ranking next to the bishop. As deacons were originally attendants upon the bishop, so the archdeacon was one selected 1101. ■ among the deacons of several dioceses. liis functions vvi-i e confined to attending upon and a isdi.g the bishop in this discharge of his spiritual duties and the management ui his diocese, and had at first no jurisdiction. There are now more archdeacons than one in each diocese, the whole number in England being sixiy; and they are en ployed by their bishops in visiting the clergy ol the diocese, and in the dispatch of other matters relating to die episcopal superintendence. [s. 86]