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The '''Deacon''' is the third and lowest degree of the [[major orders]] of [[clergy]] in the [[Orthodox Church]], following the [[bishop]] and the [[presbyter]]. The word ''deacon'' means ''server'' and originally it referred to a person who waited on tables.
== Diaconal Ministry ministry ==
The deacon ministers to the [[priest]] and [[bishop]] in the divine services and assists in the celebration of the [[mysteries]] of the Church. A deacon may not, however, celebrate the mysteries by himself.
A deacon may be blessed by his bishop and parish priest to distribute the [[Eucharist]] to the faithful, either from a second [[chalice]] at a regular [[liturgy]] where a priest is serving or in connection with a [[typika]] service that is celebrated when the priest is absent. In neither case, however, does the deacon consecrate the [[Holy Gifts]]. The deacon has no ability or authority to consecrate the Holy Gifts on his own.
== Rankings of Deacons deacons ==
Sacramentally, all deacons are equal. However, they are ranked and serve by seniority according to the date of their ordination.
Deacons cannot bless, so it is '''inappropriate''' to ask a deacon for his blessing or to kiss his hand. Blessings are given by bishops and priests, so these expressions of honor are reserved for them alone.
== Deacon's Vestments vestments ==
The vestments of the deacon are the [[sticharion]], the [[orarion]], and the [[epimanikia]].
All three degrees of major clergy wear the sticharion. The sticharion is a long-sleeved tunic that reaches all the way to the ground. It reminds the wearer that the [[grace]] of the Holy Spirit covers him as with a garment of salvation and joy. For deacons, the sticharion has wide sleeves and is made of a heavier fabric than that of the priest and bishop, who wear their sticharia under other vestments.
The second part of a deacon’s deacon's vestments is the orarion. The orarion is a narrow band of material that the deacon wears wrapped around his body and draped over his left shoulder. It represents the grace of the Holy Spirit that in ordination anoints the deacon like oil. It is the principal vestment of the deacon and without it he cannot serve. When the deacon leads the people in prayers or invites them to attention he holds one end of his orarion in his right hand and raises it. The priest’s priest's [[epitrachelion]] and the bishop’s bishop's [[omophorion]] are specialized types of the orarion.
The final parts of a deacon’s deacon's vestments are the epimanikia. The epimanikia are cuffs that are worn around the wrists, tied by a long cord. These are also worn by the bishop and priest. They serve the practical purpose of keeping the inner garments out of the way during the services. They also remind the wearer that he serves not by his own strength but with the help of God.
Before the deacon can don any of his vestments, he must first receive the blessing of the bishop or priest with whom he is serving.
* [[Diakonissa]]
== External Links links ==
*[http://www.deacon.ru/ The Ministry of Deacon] (in Russian)
*[http://www.orthodox.net/ustav/bulgakov-deacon.html The Deacon] (from the Bulgakov handbook)
