Archdeacon
An archdeacon heads the deacons and has responsibilities for church services, sacred furnishings, charitable assistance, and liaison with the bishop.[^1][^2]
Also known as: Archdiaconate
Office and responsibilities
The archdeacon is the head of the deacons, with responsibilities encompassing worship, church administration, and charitable service.12
The duties include:
- Arranging church services and assigning tasks to deacons and subdeacons.2
- Safeguarding church books, vessels, and vestments.2
- Ensuring that church charity reaches those in need.2
- Acting as a liaison on behalf of the bishop.2
- Helping recommend candidates for the diaconate and for promotion to higher ranks.2
Historical development
The rank dates to the apostolic age, with Stephen identified as the chief of the seven deacons appointed by the apostles. The rank is not mentioned in the letter of Cornelius, bishop of Rome, to Fabius, bishop of Antioch, although that letter mentions other ranks of the diaconate.1
According to the same account, the position became fully established in both Eastern and Western churches in the fourth century. It cites Augustine’s writings, the description of Athanasius as principal deacon in Theodoret’s account of the Council of Nicaea, and the proceedings of the Council of Ephesus in 431.3
Seniority appears to have been a criterion for promotion, but exceptions occurred. Alexander I appointed Athanasius while he was still young and not the most senior deacon; John Chrysostom likewise ordained Serapion first as deacon and then as archdeacon of the church of Constantinople.4
Ordination
A deacon of proven aptitude may be recommended for the archdiaconate.5 The bishop ordains the archdeacon on the recommendation of the congregation and clergy, in accordance with the sacrament of holy orders.6
The supplied articles describe the timing differently: the article on the archdeacon places the ordination immediately after the prayer of the aspasmos, or Kiss of Peace, and before its hymn; the article on ordination says that ordination of a deacon or archdeacon usually follows the Prayer of Reconciliation.67
The ordination prayer asks for the grace of the Holy Spirit and for the candidate to be made worthy to hold the chalice, minister to orphans, help widows, and care for the servers. The bishop then lays hands upon him, and the newly ordained archdeacon participates in the Divine Liturgy.68
References
Sources
- 1.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 1 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 492)
The rank of archdeacon dates back to the apostolic age. Having appointed seven deacons, "men of good repute, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom," the apostles selected one of them, Stephen, to be their chief (Acts 6:1-6). However, no mention is made to this particular rank in the letter written by Cornelius, bishop of Rome (251-253), to Fabius, bishop of Antioch, although Cornelius refers to other ranks of the diaconate (Eusebius, Historia ecclesiastica 6.43).
- 2.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 1 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 493)
The archdeacon is charged with making necessary arrangements for church services, assigning various tasks to deacons and subdeacons; safekeeping of church books, vessels, and vestments; ensuring that church charity is received by the needy; acting as a liaison on behalf of the bishop; and participating in recommending candidates for the diaconate and for promotion to higher ranks.
- 3.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 1 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 492)
The position of archdeacon became fully established in the Eastern and Western churches in the fourth century, as evidenced by the writings of Saint Augustine (De Diversis Questionibus ad Simplicianum III.9). Theodoret, bishop of Cyrrhus (393-466), in his history of the Council of NICAEA, describes the position of ATHANASIUS as the principal deacon (reported in Eusebius 1. 25). The archdiaconate equally figures in the proceedings of the Council of EPHESUS (431).
- 4.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 1 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 492)
Seniority in the diaconate appears to have been the criterion for promotion to the archdeaconate. This rule, nevertheless, was not without its exceptions, as Athanasius became head of the deacons though still young, without being the most senior of deacons when the patriarch ALEXANDER I (312-326) appointed him archdeacon. Likewise Saint JOHN CHRYSOSTOM (347-407) ordained Serapion deacon and then archdeacon of the church of Constantinople (Socrates, Historia ecclesiastica 6.4; Sozomen, Historia ecclesiastica 8.9).
- 5.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 3 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 532)
When a deacon of proven aptitude has been recommended for the order of archdeacon, the bishop says this prayer:
- 6.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 1 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 492)
On the recommendation of the congregation and the clergy, a bishop ordains an archdeacon in accordance with the sacrament of holy orders. The ordination service follows immediately after the prayer of the aspasmos (Kiss of Peace) and before the congregation sings the hymn of the aspasmos. The bishop says: "Our Master, Lover of man . . . do send the grace of Thy Holy Spirit upon Thy servant [Name] who is called to be an archdeacon through the vote and judgment of those who have brought him into our midst and the request of those who have given account of him. Make him worthy to be archdeacon fo
- 7.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 3 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 530)
The ordination of a deacon or archdeacon usually takes place after the Prayer of Reconciliation.
- 8.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 1 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 493)
chalice of the precious Blood of the Lamb without blemish which is Thine only-begotten Son; that he may minister unto the orphans and help the widows, having care of the servers . . . nor is this grace given through the imposition of our hands, we being sinners, but by the visitation of Thy rich compassion, it is given to those who are worthy of it. . . . We pray and beseech Thee, the Good One and Lover of man, on behalf of Thy servant [Name], that Thou shouldst make him worthy of the grace of the calling of the archdiaconate through the descent upon him of Thy Holy Spirit." The bishop then la
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