deaconate

Church service office

The deaconate is the office, rank, or tenure of a deacon in Christian churches.

It refers both to the position itself and to the body of deacons collectively: She was ordained to the deaconate last spring.

Some denominations distinguish between transitional deaconates (a step toward priesthood) and permanent ones.

office

deaconship

Rank of church servant

ordinationClergy appointment ceremony
ministryClergy's work or state department
candidacyPursuit of office

appointment · tenure · duties · responsibilities · service · vocation · calling · installation · commissioning · assignment

clergy

subdeacon

Minor clerical rank

ministerReligious leader or serve
clericOrdained religious leader
pastorChristian congregation leader

priest · bishop · elder · reverend · curate · vicar · chaplain · rector · acolyte · lector

hierarchy

episcopate

Bishops as a body

episcopacyChurch rule by bishops
priesthoodOrdained religious office
papacyPope's office and authority

cardinalate · prelature · diocese · parish · apostolic · canonical · ecclesiastical · abbacy · chaplaincy · curacy

liturgical

vestments

Ceremonial religious attire

stoleTook without permission
albLiturgical white robe
cassockFull-length clerical garment

surplice · altar · chalice · paten · gospel · epistle · homily · preaching · liturgy · sacrament

Opposites

hierarchical rank in holy orders

deaconateepiscopate

Bishops as a body

bishopric · papacy · priesthood · pontificate · archbishopric

ordained vs. lay status

deaconatelaity

Non-ordained church members

secular life · congregation

Family

deacon, deacons, deaconess, deaconesses, deaconry, diaconal, diaconate, archdeacon

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