www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Deacon's Wife in the East

Friends,

The wife of a Byzantine priest is called a presbytera.

What is the wife of a Byzantine Deacon called?

God bless you,

Paul

Slavonic is Pani for deacons wife

And I still havn't figured out the word they call me in Arabic...one day I will get the hang of it. I am gonna corner someone and ask them to say it slowly.

Pani Rose

Paul

In Arabic, the wife of a priest is Khoria

Many years,

Neil

In the Byzantine traditon (as opposed to the Slavic), especially in North America, a Deacon is normally not referred to as Father (or Abouna in Arabic). The word for priest is Khoury and for his wife is Khouria. In Greek, she is Presbytera (Presvytera or Presbytetta) and in Albanian, Priftiresha.

However, since Deacons are normally referred to as that (and not Father or Father Deacon as the Russians do), if his wife is referred to as anything at all other than Mrs., it should be Deaconessa. Calling her Matushka, Pani Matka, etc. is inconsistent with the title of her husband and is not really correct.

Even though a full Deacon is always treated as a major clergyman while alive (as opposed to a Subdeacon who is not but normally has the exact same canonical regulations regarding marriage), when a Deacon is committed to the Earth after his soul has gone to his Heavenly Father, he is done so as ... a Layman. There is no special Funeral Service for a Deacon.

Christ Is Among Us!

Three Cents

'Abouna' literally translates translates to 'our Father'. 'Khooriy'yah' or 'Khooriy'yeh' the presbyter's wife, has an unusual translation to her title: priestess. The deacon is called 'Abounash Sham'mas'. His wife? Not a clue; never ran into one. I doubt there is a title.

In IC XC
Samer

Thanks Sammer

I am finally glad to see it written out, Sham'mas'.

Well as far as calling deacons father deacon, that is the preferred way (by the priest and the layity) at St. Georges here in Birmingham for both of our deacons. I assumed it is the same elsewhere.

Rose

Is there an official policy on this? Since the Latins appeal to Rome, and the Southern Baptists appeal to Nashville, I will appeal to our Holy City - Pittsburgh.

Slava Isusu Christu!

My wife is referred to as Diakonisa by the parish community, as opposed to Pani or Matushka.

Three Cents tells us "when a Deacon is committed to the Earth after his soul has gone to his Heavenly Father, he is done so as ... a Layman. There is no special Funeral Service for a Deacon." He's not far wrong, but this is still not quite true. A deacon is buried in his full vestments (one set only, of course) with a thurible in his hand (the thurible is not lit).
Incognitus

Gee, I thought Pittsburgh was 'just' one of the great All-American Cities.

Paul

Dear Father Deacon Kenneth,

I like it! Sounds loving and affectionate to my American English ears. Does your wife like being called Diakonisa?

Thanks to all of you for your replies.

Christ is our peace.

Paul

I'm sure you are right. But wasn't there a special dispensation of grace given to the place? Maybe placed under the protection of St. Guido the Enforcer or something similar? Or maybe it was St. Vlad the Inhaler.

Your sense of is keen!

Let's see, special graces: Pittsburg Pirates (National league!), Steelers (NFL!), Carnegie-Mellon U....

Jesus and Mary must smile when they look upon Pittsburgh, PA.

Paul

Just don't forget to sing the anthem of the city:
"Pittsburgh is a filthy old town, Pittsburgh [2]
Solid steel from McKeesport down in Pittsburgh,
Lord God, Pittsburgh! "

There are more verses.

Incognitus

I like it! Sounds loving and affectionate to my American English ears. Does your wife like being called Diakonisa?


My wife has adapted quite well to it; some people, who don't know what to say, tug on her sleeve to get her attention instead of calling her by a title; some people call her by her given name, Cyndi.