A deacon is a clergyman or ecclesiastical minister who has a series of functions, which vary according to the different branches of Christianity. In different churches, the deacon is a person with a lower degree than the sacrament of holy orders, this is by imposition of the bishop, that is why this person is considered as a sacramental image of the one known as Christ the servant. The basis for this is in Mark 10:45: "The son of man did not come to earth to be served, but to serve."
What is Deacon
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The word deacon, according to its etymology, comes from the Greek "diakonos", which in turn is derived from the Latin "diacunus" whose meaning is "servant." This word is widely used in the religious sphere to define a man dedicated to serving others, a commitment that he acquires as a member of the church. Each church establishes specific duties for these clergymen, for example in the Pentecostal church this servant helps the pastor in making decisions and taking care of the church, as well as participating in supposed exorcism ceremonies. Pentecostals approve of women being able to play that role.
There is a manual for deacons that establishes the rules and commitments of these people with the church, as well as a course for deacons. Some time ago there was a controversy with the deacon Jorge Sonnante, who claimed to be a permanent servant of the community of priest Elvis Ruiz Silva, but everything turned out to be a lie later exposed by the relevant people.
History of deacons
The origin of these clerics dates back to the 1st century BC, when Christianity was spreading rapidly, so the number of faithful was increased in the same way. As a result of this the tasks within the church were increasing and the disciples of the church, could not fulfill everything. For this reason some apostles asked the representatives of the church to choose a group of people to serve as helpers. It was from there that the first deacons emerged.
There is a book of the life of the apostles whose origin is from 60 and 70 AD Christ, which explains the constitution of the apostles, who, according to history, were the first servants of the church of Peter. The deacon in the bible is mentioned several times, however, it is important to note that theologians do not accept the institution of the seven (apostles of Jesus).
Throughout history many men have been mentioned who could be deacons, among them, Saint Stephen deacon, known for being the first Christian martyr, then followed by Philip, a preacher of Samaria, a prochorus, a scribe of the Apostle Saint John when he was exiled on Patmos Island.
But there is also mention of San Lorenzo, a clergyman from Rome who was a Martyr on a grill in 258. Vicente de Zaragoza, Spanish martyr in the diocletian mandate.
Romano el Mélodo, the greatest Greek hymngrapher whose nickname was Pindar of Rhythmic Poetry. Efren de Syria, doctor and father of the Christian church. Lastly, Francisco de Asís, a saint quite admired in the Catholic Church.
Types of deacons
There are two types of clergy, each with different characteristics and will be explained below.
Transitional deacon
He is the one who is granted the ministry of deacons for a specified time, starting once he completes his studies, until he is mature enough to be ordained as a priest, that is, the diaconate is a requirement that must be met by those young people who they wish to be ordained priests.
Permanent deacon
This kind of diaconate was restored by Vatican II, and it was granted to married men (this means that the deacon can marry) and must be a man of faultless morals, merciful, charitable and helpful. It is required that he be married and that his wife give the authorization, by means of a writing, accepting the ordination of her husband as deacon.
Deacon Duties
In the Catholic Church (or Catholicism) these servers have different functions and objectives to fulfill, a clear example of this is to promulgate the Gospel, be present at the altar at Mass and preach, as well as deliver the Eucharist, begin the celebrations related to marriage, giving blessings, blessing the water and bringing the Eucharist to people who have a disease.
He also has other objectives and tasks according to the hierarchy that he has, for example, directing the administration of the parishes, directing a diakonia (or making the deacon ordination or deacon ordination invitation) and starting with the Sunday celebrations without consecrating the Eucharist.
Deacons in other religions
In Orthodox churches, these servants help in communion, read the gospel, incience the people and the icons that are inside the church, make the people meet in prayer and preside over the Litany of Laureates.
In the Anglican communion these people work with the ministry of works of mercy, in addition, they are assisted by the sick, imprisoned, poor and hungry both inside and outside the church.
Finally, in evangelical Christianity, deacons are chosen in the church according to their qualities and their faith, since they must help the pastor in all the activities that are carried out in the church.
