Deaconess
Healthcare system name
A deaconess is a woman holding a specific office in certain Christian churches, historically involving charitable work, care for the sick, and assistance with baptisms of women.
The role dates to the early church and has been revived in various Protestant denominations.
Some traditions ordain deaconesses; others consider it a lay position distinct from the male diaconate.
Feminine name meaning radiant
- early churchFirst-century Christian communities
- ancientVery old indeed
- restorationReturning something to condition
- revivalReturn after decline
Byzantine · patristic · Eastern Orthodox · third century · widows · virgins · catechumen · anointing
Officially appointed to ministry
- ministryClergy's work or state department
- clergyOrdained religious officials collectively
- vestmentsCeremonial religious attire
- liturgyFormal worship structure
consecration · vocation · pastoral · bishop · parish · altar · communion · sacrament
Reformation-era Protestant denomination
- MethodistProtestant denomination member
- AnglicanChurch of England member
- BaptistImmersion-practicing Protestant
- MennoniteAnabaptist Christian denomination
sisterhood · motherhouse · training · community · vows · habit · institution · order
Voluntary aid for others
- benevolenceDisposition toward doing good
- visitationOfficial or formal visit
- almsgivingGiving to the needy
- nursingMedical caretaking profession
welfare · outreach · compassion · caregiving · hospitality · widows · orphans · poor relief
Medical treatment facility
- nursingMedical caretaking profession
- NightingaleSurname in medical history
- patient careMedical attention for sick
- chaplaincyReligious guidance service
infirmary · hospice · medical mission · training school · nurse · institution · healing ministry · sanitarium
Phoebe
Feminine name meaning radiant
- early churchFirst-century Christian communities
- ancientVery old indeed
- restorationReturning something to condition
revival · Byzantine · patristic · Eastern Orthodox · third century · widows · virgins · catechumen · anointing · suppression
ordained
Officially appointed to ministry
- ministryClergy's work or state department
- clergyOrdained religious officials collectively
- vestmentsCeremonial religious attire
liturgy · consecration · vocation · pastoral · bishop · parish · altar · communion · sacrament · apostolic
Lutheran
Reformation-era Protestant denomination
- MethodistProtestant denomination member
- AnglicanChurch of England member
- BaptistImmersion-practicing Protestant
Mennonite · sisterhood · motherhouse · training · community · vows · habit · institution · order · fellowship
charity
Voluntary aid for others
- benevolenceDisposition toward doing good
- visitationOfficial or formal visit
- almsgivingGiving to the needy
nursing · welfare · outreach · compassion · caregiving · hospitality · widows · orphans · poor relief · social work
hospital
Medical treatment facility
- nursingMedical caretaking profession
- NightingaleSurname in medical history
- patient careMedical attention for sick
chaplaincy · infirmary · hospice · medical mission · training school · nurse · institution · healing ministry · sanitarium · dispensary
Deaconesspope
Catholic Church's supreme leader
patriarch · layperson · laity · bishop · archbishop
Deaconesslayperson
Non-specialist or unordained person
civil servant · social worker · nurse · bureaucrat · corporate executive