DEACON

(Yunanca köken — orijinale bakınız.) A minister of religion, holding, in Protestant churches, the lowest degree in holy orders. The first appointment of deacons is mentioned in Acts vi., where the Apostles direct the congregation to look out seven men of honest report, upon whom they may lay their hands. Their office at this time seems to have been chiefly the care of the poor and the distribution of the bread and wine in the love feasts. We learn, however, from the example of Philip. Acts viii., that they also had authority to preach. In the English church it is customary to require a candidate for deacon's orders to have completed his 23d year. As a deacon he is not capable of holding any benefice, and may only officiate as a curate, chaplain, or lecturer. It is generally understood that a deacon may not read the Absolution: he may not administer the sacrament alone, but in a isting the priest may offer the cup to the communicants. [s. 331]