|
1 members (1 invisible),
501
guests, and
111
robots. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Forums26
Topics35,540
Posts417,763
Members6,195
| |
Most Online4,112
Mar 25th, 2025
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 478
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 478 |
Hello, I am interested in learning about the role of deacons in the Eastern Churches. Specifically, I'd like to find out the various types of deacons (sub-deacons, proto-deacons, etc.), their liturgical roles, their roles outside of the liturgy, etc. Could someone point me to a resource that would educate me on this? Preferably one that is online and free. 
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,437 Likes: 1
Administrator Member
|
|
Administrator Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,437 Likes: 1 |
Francis, There are a few threads in this section that deal with this. In a quick search I came up with six. The most recent was this: BCC Deacons Thread Enjoy and I hope that it helps. In IC XC, Father Anthony+
Everyone baptized into Christ should pass progressively through all the stages of Christ's own life, for in baptism he receives the power so to progress, and through the commandments he can discover and learn how to accomplish such progression. - Saint Gregory of Sinai
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 780
Administrator Member
|
|
Administrator Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 780 |
Just a quick comment... Sub-deacons are not deacons, they are sub-deacons -- a totally different order.
The trhead that Fr. Anthony cited should help with the rest of your questions.
Fr. Deacon Edward
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,517
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,517 |
Are sub-deacons really a totally different order from deacons? Perhaps - and perhaps not. Much more research is required, but for the moment one might think that the subdiaconate developed from the diaconate, rather than having a completely separate origin.
In any event, we urgently need both good subdeacons and good deacons.
Incognitus
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 937
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 937 |
The question that comes to my mind is:
How many acolytes, candlebearers, readers and cantors are ordained to the subdiaconite in Christ in the Eparchy?
In Christ,
Michael
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 478
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 478 |
Thank you for the references to other threads. I was hoping, however, for something more in-depth. For example, I visited a Melkite Church last weekend, and I saw the various men assisting the priest, and I know that some (perhaps all?) were deacons. But I have no idea what each one's role was, nor do I know the difference between sub-deacons, deacons, etc. I didn't see anything that discussed that in the other threads (or perhaps I just didn't understand the discussion).
Is there perhaps a book that goes in-depth on this subject?
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 348
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 348 |
You may read four articles by Fr. Protodeacon David Kennedy - all of them are available on: http://www.saintelias.com/ca/clergy/ "The Deacon in Today's World" by Melkite Arcbishop Joseph Tawil is also worth reading: http://www.rongolini.com/deacwrld.htm And so is an article by Georges Florovsky "The Problem of Diaconate in the Orthodox Church": http://www.deaconsplace.org/~articles/nolan_richard/chapter_4.html If you know (at least passively) Russian, visit http://www.deacons.ru - this site owned by Fr. Archdeacon Stephen (Puchkov) of Moscow Patriarchate is a true goldmine!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 478
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 478 |
Deacon Peter, That is awesome! Thanks! I may even have my wife (who knows Russian) translate that last link.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 348
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 348 |
I made a typo in the last link. Correct version is http://www.deacon.ru
|
|
|
|
|
