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83-563: Protodeacon is an honorific rank given to certain married deacons in Eastern Christian churches. In the Russian Orthodox Church it is an honorary title given to married deacons, as a mark of which, the clergyman is entitled to wear a burgundy -colored skufia . The equivalent rank for hierodeacons —i.e., monastic deacons—is archdeacon . The senior deacon of a cathedral or principal church may be awarded

166-426: A Roman collar is often worn, although this is not a traditional or widespread practice. A protodeacon ( Ecclesiastical Greek : πρωτοδιάκονος protodiakonos , "first deacon") is a distinction of honor awarded to senior deacons, usually serving on the staff of the diocesan bishop. An archdeacon is similar, but is among the monastic clergy. Protodeacons and archdeacons use a double-length orarion even if it

249-860: A mission , such as the Little Commission , the commission of the seventy in Luke's Gospel, the Great Commission after the resurrection of Jesus , or the conversion of Paul , making them apostles , charged with proclaiming the gospel (the Good News) to the world. Jesus emphasised that being his disciples would be costly. The term "disciple" represents the Koine Greek word mathētḗs ( μαθητής ), which generally means "one who engages in learning through instruction from another, pupil, apprentice" or in religious contexts such as

332-514: A new commandment , that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (NRSV) Further definition by Jesus can be found in the Gospel of Luke , Chapter 14. Beginning with a testing trap laid out by his adversaries regarding observance of the Jewish Sabbath , Jesus uses

415-497: A religious institute , while Rev. Deacon is used as the honorific for permanent deacons in many dioceses (e.g., Rev. Deacon John Smith, or Deacon John Smith). The decision as to whether deacons wear the Roman collar as street attire is left to the discretion of each bishop for his own diocese. Where clerical garb is approved by the bishop, the deacon can choose to wear or not wear the "collar". Deacons, like seminarians, religious, and

498-588: A stole over their left shoulder and fastened on the right side of their waist. This is worn both over the surplice and the alb . A deacon might also wear a dalmatic . Church of England deacons are supported through the CofE Network of Distinctive Deacons (CENDD). Bishop James Newcome of Carlisle is the Distinctive Deacons’ Champion in the House of Bishops . In Methodism, deacons began as

581-691: A diaconal order, similar to that in the British church. There are two distinct offices of deacon in the Church of Scotland . The best-known form of diaconate are trained and paid pastoral workers. The permanent diaconate was formerly exclusively female, and it was in 1988, the centenary year of the diaconate, that men were admitted to the office of deacon. The offices of deacon and minister are now both open to both women and men; deacons are now ordained (they were previously "commissioned"). The other office of deacon can be found in congregations formerly belonging to

664-576: A key role in encouraging other Uniting Church members in similar action. Some examples of service that deacons may take include: prison chaplaincy, acting as youth or community workers, in community service agencies, in schools and hospitals, or in mission placements in Australia or overseas. Although the primary responsibility for worship in congregations lies with the Ministers of the Word, deacons have

747-590: A leader of others who attempts to pass on this faith to his followers, with the goal of repeating this process.(1 Corinthians 4:16–17; 2 Timothy 2:2). In addition to the Twelve Apostles there is a much larger group of people identified as disciples in the opening of the passage of the Sermon on the Plain . In addition, seventy (or seventy-two, depending on the source used) people are sent out in pairs to prepare

830-591: A liturgical role appropriate to their distinctive ministry, including ministries where their main leadership is within a congregation. In the Uniting Church both ministers of the word and deacons are styled The Reverend . Faith formation In Christianity , a disciple is a dedicated follower of Jesus . This term is found in the New Testament only in the Gospels and Acts . Originating in

913-520: A messenger, more specifically "messengers with extraordinary status, especially of God’s messenger, envoy." But predominately in the New Testament it is used of "a group of highly honored believers with a special function as God’s envoys." While a disciple is one who learns and apprentices under a teacher or rabbi , an apostle is one sent as a missionary to proclaim the good news and to establish new communities of believers. The meaning of

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996-518: A parish by the diocesan bishop, where they are under the supervision of the parish priests, or in diocesan ministries. Unlike most clerics, permanent deacons who also have a secular profession have no right to receive a salary for their ministry, but many dioceses opt to remunerate them anyway. During the Mass , the deacon's responsibilities include assisting the priest, proclaiming the Gospel, announcing

1079-435: A rim at the top. In Slavic practice, a hierodeacon (monastic deacon) wears the simple black kamilavka of a monk (without the rim), but removes the monastic veil (see klobuk ) when vested; a married deacon would not wear a kamilavka unless it is given to them by the bishop as an ecclesiastical award ; the honorary kamilavka is purple in colour, and may be awarded to either married or monastic clergy. As far as street clothing

1162-615: A serving Roman deacon was raised to Pope, Silverius . The diaconate has been retained as a separate vocation in Eastern Christianity , while in Western Christianity it was largely used in cathedrals and as a temporary step along the path toward priestly ordination. In the 20th century, the diaconate was restored as a vocational order in many Western churches, most notably in the Catholic Church ,

1245-654: A simpler papal inauguration ceremony, and his successors have followed that example. As a result, the Cardinal Protodeacon's privilege of crowning a new pope is dormant. However, the Protodeacon still has the privilege of bestowing the pallium on a new pope at his papal inauguration. “Acting in the place of the Roman Pontiff , he also confers the pallium upon metropolitan bishops or gives the pallium to their proxies.” The current Cardinal Protodeacon

1328-653: A transitional order before ordination as elders (presbyters). In 1996, the United Methodist Church ended the transitional deacon and established a new Order of Deacons to be equal in status with the Order of Elders. Both men and women may be ordained as deacons. Deacons serve in a variety of specialized ministries including, but not limited to, Christian education, music, communications and ministries of justice and advocacy. Unlike United Methodist elders, deacons must find their own place of service. Nevertheless,

1411-518: A year after their diaconal ordination. However, there are some deacons who do not go on to receive priestly ordination, recognising a vocation to remain in the diaconate. A permanent deacon is also known as a "distinctive deacon", or a "vocational deacon". Many provinces of the Anglican Communion ordain both women and men as deacons. Many of those provinces that ordain women to the priesthood previously allowed them to be ordained only to

1494-690: Is Dominique Mamberti . Deacon A deacon is a member of the diaconate , an office in Christian churches that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions. Major Christian denominations, such as the Catholic Church , the Oriental Orthodox Churches , the Eastern Orthodox Church , Lutheranism , Methodism , Anglicanism , and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , view

1577-406: Is a believer who follows Christ and then offers his own imitation of Christ as model for others to follow (1 Corinthians 11:1). A disciple is first a believer who has exercised faith (Acts 2:38; see also Born again (Catholicism) ) This means they have experienced conversion and put Jesus at the center of their life and participated in rites of Christian imitation. A fully developed disciple is also

1660-769: Is commonly termed in the Methodist Church), a number of deaconesses transferred and recruitment for the WDO ceased from 1978. The 1986 Methodist Conference re-opened the order to both men and women and the first ordinations to the renewed order occurred during the 1990 Conference in Cardiff, which coincided with celebrations of 100 years of diaconal service in British Methodism; deaconesses had previously been ordained at their annual convocation . The Methodist Church of Southern Africa ordains deacons who constitute

1743-600: Is concerned, immediately following ordination a deacon receives a blessing to wear the exorasson ( Arabic : Jib'be , Slavonic : r iasa ), an outer cassock with wide sleeves, in addition to the anterion (Slavonic: podriasnik), the inner cassock worn by all orders of clergy. In the Slavic practice, married clergy may wear any of a number of colours, but most often grey, while monastic clergy always wear black. In certain jurisdictions in North America and Western Europe,

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1826-538: Is conferred on seminarians continuing to the priesthood no sooner than 23 years of age (canon 1031 of the Code of Canon Law). As a permanent state, the diaconate can be conferred on single men 25 or older, and on married men 35 or older, but an older age can be required by the episcopal conference. If a married deacon is widowed, he must maintain the celibate state. Under some very rare circumstances, however, deacons who have been widowed can receive permission to remarry. This

1909-439: Is more liberally applied than the corresponding vestment of the priest, the chasuble . At certain major celebrations, such as ordinations, the diocesan bishop wears a dalmatic under his chasuble, now taken to signify that he enjoys the fullness of the three degrees of holy orders—deacon, priest, and bishop, but owing its origin, like the sakkos of Byzantine-rite bishops, to the court dress of the eastern Roman Empire. The diaconate

1992-503: Is most commonly done when the deacon is left as a single father. In some cases, a widowed deacon will seek priestly ordination, especially if his children are grown. A deacon is not styled "Father" as a priest would be, but as "Deacon", abbreviated variously as "Dn." or "Dcn." This preferred method of address is stated in the 2005 document of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops , "National Directory for

2075-564: Is not the local tradition for all deacons to use it. In the Slavic tradition a deacon may be awarded the doubled-orarion even if not a protodeacon or archdeacon. According to the practice of the Greek Orthodox Church of America, in keeping with the tradition of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the most common way to address a deacon is "Father". The tradition of kissing the hands of ordained clergy extends to

2158-454: Is one of the two disciples to whom the risen Lord appears at Emmaus (Luke 24:18). Cleopas and an unnamed disciple of Jesus are walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus on the day of Jesus's resurrection. Cleopas and his friend are discussing the events of the past few days when a stranger asks them what they spoke of. The stranger is asked to join Cleopas and his friend for the evening meal. There

2241-503: Is only draped over the left shoulder but, if elevated to the rank of archdeacon, the deacon wears the "doubled-orarion", meaning it is passed over the left shoulder, under the right arm, and then crossed over the left shoulder (see photograph, right). In modern Greek practice, a deacon wears this doubled orarion from the time of their ordination. Also, in the Greek practice, a deacon wears the clerical kamilavka (cylindrical head covering) with

2324-588: Is open to both women and men. Diaconal ministry is one of two ordained ministries within the Methodist Church. The original Wesleyan Deaconess Order was founded by Thomas Bowman Stephenson in 1890, following observation of new ministries in urban areas in the previous years. The order continued as the Wesley Deaconess Order following Methodist Union in 1932, but, following the admission of women to "The Ministry" (as presbyteral ministry

2407-615: Is said about her duties or authority, although it is assumed she carried Paul's Letter to the Romans . Female deacons are mentioned by the Roman author Pliny the Younger in a letter to the Roman emperor Trajan dated c.  112 : I believed it was necessary to find out from two female slaves ( ex duabus ancillis ) who were called deacons ( ministrae ), what was true—and to find out through torture ( per tormenta ) This

2490-720: Is the earliest Latin text that appears to refer to female deacons as a distinct category of Christian minister. A biblical description of the qualities required of a deacon can be found in 1 Timothy 3:1–13. The Synod of Arles in 314 and the First Council of Nicaea denied deacons the possibility of presiding over the Eucharist even in exceptional cases. Among the more prominent deacons in history are: Prominent historical figures who played major roles as deacons and went on to higher office include Athanasius of Alexandria , Thomas Becket, and Reginald Pole . On June 8, 536,

2573-484: The 613 mitzvot , or possibly Gentiles who violated Noahide Law , though halacha was still in dispute in the 1st century, see also Hillel and Shammai and Circumcision controversy in early Christianity . Tax collectors profited from the Roman economic system that the Romans imposed in Iudaea province , which was displacing Galileans in their own homeland, foreclosing on family land and selling it to absentee landlords. In

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2656-457: The Anglican Communion , and the United Methodist Church . In the Catholic, Scandinavian Lutheran , Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox , and Persian churches, the diaconate is one of the major orders —the others being bishop , presbyter ( priest ), and, historically, subdeacon . Deacons assist priests in their pastoral and administrative duties, but often report directly to

2739-524: The Bible , "one who is rather constantly associated with someone who has a pedagogical reputation or a particular set of views, disciple, adherent." The word "disciple" comes into English usage by way of the Latin discipulus meaning a learner, but given its biblical background, should not be confused with the more common English word "student." A disciple is different from an apostle , which instead means

2822-651: The Council of Trent , to contemporary times, the only men ordained as deacons were seminarians who were completing the last year or so of graduate theological training, so-called "transitional deacons". Following the recommendations of the Second Vatican Council ( Lumen gentium 29) and the instigation of the Josephites (whose work with African Americans necessitated increased vocational opportunity for married men), in 1967 Pope Paul VI issued

2905-588: The General Intercessions , and distributing Communion. They may also preach the homily. As clerics, deacons are required to pray the Liturgy of the Hours . Deacons, like priests and bishops, are ordinary ministers of the sacrament of Baptism and may witness at the sacrament of holy matrimony outside of Mass. Deacons may lead funeral rites outside Mass such as the final commendation at the gravesite or

2988-454: The New Testament that deacons have an equal, but distinct ministry from presbyters. Deacons are called to a ministry of service and witness, and "to hold before them the needs and concerns of the world". The Methodist Diaconal Order is both an order of ministry and a religious order within the Methodist Church in Britain. It was formed in 1989 as a successor to the Wesley Deaconess Order and

3071-658: The United Presbyterian Church of Scotland in 1900 creating the United Free Church of Scotland , which itself united with the Church of Scotland in 1929. The congregations of the post-1900 Free Church of Scotland which did not join the UF Church in 1900 continue to have Deacons. One of John Calvin 's legacies was to restore the diaconate as a servant ministry. Individual congregations of

3154-457: The ancient Near East , the concept of a disciple is an adherent of a teacher. Discipleship is not the same as being a student in the modern sense; a disciple in the ancient biblical world actively imitated both the life and teaching of the master. It was a deliberate apprenticeship which made the fully formed disciple a living copy of the master. The New Testament records many followers of Jesus during his ministry . Some disciples were given

3237-412: The crucifixion and witness to the resurrection . Mark includes Mary, the mother of James and Salome (not to be confused with Salomé the daughter of Herodias) at the crucifixion and Salome at the tomb. John includes Mary the wife of Clopas at the crucifixion. Tabitha (Dorcas) is the only female follower of Jesus named in the New Testament and explicitly called a disciple. In Luke, Cleopas

3320-436: The motu proprio Sacrum Diaconatus Ordinem , reviving the practice of ordaining to the diaconate men who were not candidates for priestly ordination. These men are known as "permanent deacons", in contrast to those continuing their formation, who were then called "transitional deacons". There is no sacramental or canonical difference between the two, however, as there is only one order of deacons. The period of formation to

3403-500: The pre-1900 Free Church of Scotland , with a "Deacons' Court" having responsibility for financial and administrative oversight of congregations. Only a few congregations still retain this constitutional model, with most having since adopted the Church of Scotland's "Model Constitution" (with a Kirk Session and Congregational Board) or "Unitary Congregation" (with just a Kirk Session). Most of the Free Church congregations united with

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3486-467: The "living voice and intimacy of common life" of the disciple–teacher relationship of many different philosophers: Cleanthes could not have been the express image of Zeno , if he had merely heard his lectures; he also shared in his life, saw into his hidden purposes, and watched him to see whether he lived according to his own rules. Plato , Aristotle , and the whole throng of sages who were destined to go each his different way, derived more benefit from

3569-539: The 14th century. Ubiquitous throughout Christianity is the practice of proselytism , making new disciples. In Matthew, at the beginning of Jesus' ministry, when calling his earliest disciples—Simon, Peter, and Andrew—he says to them: "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men" ( Matthew 4:19 ). Then, at the very end of his ministry Jesus institutes the Great Commission, commanding all present to "go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in

3652-482: The 1960s, deacons in the Church of Sweden were required to be celibate . For deacons, "vows made at ordination involve seeking and helping anyone in bodily or spiritual need, defending the rights of all, standing beside the oppressed, and exhorting God's people to all good works so that the love of God is made visible in the world." An ordained deacon's charism includes "visits, helps, and supports those in bodily or spiritual need; gives Christian nurture and teaching in

3735-531: The 1970s and early 1980s. The doctrine of the movement emphasized the "one another" passages of the New Testament, and the mentoring relationship prescribed by the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 2:2 of the Holy Bible. It was controversial in that it gained a reputation for controlling and abusive behavior, with a great deal of emphasis placed upon the importance of obedience to one's own shepherd. The movement

3818-471: The Apostle stressed transformation as a prerequisite for discipleship when he wrote that disciples must "not be conformed to this world" but must "be transformed by the renewing of [their] minds" so that they "may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect." Therefore, a disciple is not simply an accumulator of information or one who merely changes moral behavior in conformity with

3901-592: The Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States". The proper address in written correspondence for all deacons of the Latin Church in the United States is "Deacon Name ", although it is not uncommon to see "Rev. Mr." sometimes used. "Rev. Mr.", however, is more often used to indicate a transitional deacon (i.e., preparing for ordination to the priesthood) or one who belongs to

3984-682: The Holy Roman Church. He has the privilege of announcing the new pope 's election and name (once he has been ordained to the episcopate) in the Habemus Papam announcement given from the central balcony at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City State . In the past, during papal coronations, the Protodeacon also had the honor of bestowing the pallium on the new pope and crowning him with the papal tiara . However, in 1978 Pope John Paul I chose not to be crowned and opted for

4067-538: The Latin Catholic deacon are the alb , stole and dalmatic . Deacons, like priests and bishops, must wear their albs and stoles; deacons place the stole over their left shoulder and it hangs across to their right side, while priests and bishops wear it around their necks. The dalmatic, a vestment especially associated with the deacon, is worn during the celebration of the Mass and other liturgical functions; its use

4150-423: The Uniting Church are called to minister to those on the fringes of the church and be involved in ministry in the community. Deacons offer leadership in a ministry of service to the world. The primary focus of the ministry of deacons is on care and compassion for the poor and oppressed and in seeking social justice for all people. They take both an active role in leadership in such actions themselves, but are also play

4233-424: The bishop does officially approve and appoint deacons to their selected ministry. Deacons may assist the elder in the administration of Sacraments, but must receive special approval from a bishop before presiding over Baptism and holy communion. United Methodist deacons are present in North America, Europe and Africa. The Methodist Church of Great Britain also has a permanent diaconate—based on an understanding of

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4316-674: The bishops of their diocese. They have a distinctive role in the liturgy of the Eastern and Western Churches. Deacons are also appointed or elected in other denominations, though this is less commonly seen as a step towards the clerical ministry. The role of deacon in these denominations varies greatly from denomination to denomination; often, there will be more emphasis on administrative duties than on pastoral or liturgical duties. In some denominations, deacons' duties are only financial management and practical aid and relief. Elders handle pastoral and other administrative duties. Beginning around

4399-410: The celebration of marriages, as in Eastern theology the sacrament is conferred by the nuptial blessing of a priest. Diaconal vestments are the sticharion (alb, although it has come to resemble the western dalmatic), the orarion (deacon's stole), and the epimanikia (cuffs). The last are worn under the sticharion, not over it as does a priest or bishop. The deacon usually wears a simple orarion which

4482-576: The character than from the words of Socrates . In the world of the Bible, a disciple was a person who followed a teacher, or rabbi, or master, or philosopher. The disciple desired to learn not only the teaching of the rabbi, but to imitate the practical details of their life. A disciple did not merely attend lectures or read books, they were required to interact with and imitate a real living person. A disciple would literally follow someone in hopes of eventually becoming what they are. A Christian disciple

4565-602: The core teachings and practices of Jesus such as turning the other cheek and rejecting materialism . Radical is derived from the Latin word radix meaning "root", referring to the need for perpetual re-orientation towards the root truths of Christian discipleship. Radical discipleship also refers to the Anabaptist Reformation movement beginning in Zurich, Switzerland in 1527. This movement grew in part out of

4648-462: The date of their elevation. In the Archieratikon ( Slavonic : Chinovnik ), the liturgical book containing the services as celebrated by a bishop , the term Protodeacon is used to refer to the senior-ranking deacon who is serving, regardless of whether or not he has actually had that rank bestowed upon him. In the Roman rite , the senior Cardinal Deacon is the Cardinal Protodeacon of

4731-575: The deacon is not permitted to perform any sacred mysteries (sacraments) on their own, except for Baptism in extremis (in danger of death), conditions under which anyone, including the laity, may baptize. When assisting at a normal baptism, it is often the deacon who goes down into the water with the one being baptized ( Acts 8:38 ). In contrast to the Roman Catholic Church , deacons in the Eastern Churches may not preside at

4814-536: The deacon's own ruling bishop . The rite of elevation is identical for both a protodeacon and an archdeacon, and is normally done during the Little Entrance of the Divine Liturgy . A protodeacon has precedence when serving with other deacons, regardless of the date of his own ordination to the diaconate. If several protodeacons serve at the same time, their order of precedence is determined by

4897-548: The deacons are also members of the local church council. A special feature of the Dutch Reformed churches is the fact that the diaconate of each local church is its own legal entity with its own financial means, separated from the church itself, and governed by the deacons. In the Uniting Church in Australia , the diaconate is one of two offices of ordained ministry. The other is Minister of the Word. Deacons in

4980-465: The deacons' role was indeed to help, their assistance involved more liturgical, teaching and leadership functions than purely charitable work. The Greek word diakónissa ( διακόνισσα ), meaning deaconess, is not found in the Bible. However, one woman, Phoebe , is mentioned at Romans 16:1–2 as a deacon or deaconess ( διάκονος , diákonos ) of the church in Cenchreae . Nothing more specific

5063-433: The diaconate as an order of ministry . Permanent deacons are deacons who are not transitioning into the priesthood , in contrast to those continuing their formation , who were then called transitional deacons . The word deacon is derived from the Greek word diákonos ( διάκονος ), which is a standard ancient Greek word meaning "servant", "waiter", "minister", or "messenger". Recent research has highlighted

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5146-674: The diaconate as well. This practice is rooted in the holy eucharist and is in acknowledgement and respect of the eucharistic role members of the clergy play in preparing, handling and disbursing the sacrament during the Divine Liturgy, and in building and serving the church as the Body of Christ. In the Lutheran Churches of the Scandinavian tradition, there is a threefold ministry of "bishops, priests, and deacons". Until

5229-430: The diaconate. The effect of this was the creation of a large and overwhelmingly female diaconate for a time, as most men proceeded to be ordained priests after a short time as a deacon. Anglican deacons may baptize and in some dioceses are granted licences to solemnize matrimony , usually under the instruction of their parish priest and bishop. Deacons are not able to preside at the eucharist (but can lead worship with

5312-401: The distribution of already-consecrated communion elements where this is permitted), nor can they pronounce God's absolution of sin or pronounce the Trinitarian blessing. In most cases, deacons minister alongside other clergy. An Anglican deacon wears an identical choir dress to an Anglican priest: cassock , surplice , tippet and academic hood . However, liturgically, deacons usually wear

5395-433: The faith; is a sign of merciful kindness in the parish and society at large, and in all things serves Christ in the neighbour". In Anglican churches, such as the Church of England and the Free Church of England , deacons are permitted to marry freely before or after ordination, as are Anglican priests. Most deacons are "transitional deacons", that is, preparing for the priesthood and they are usually ordained priests about

5478-518: The fifth century, there was a gradual decline in the diaconate as a permanent state of life in the Latin Church . The development of a cursus honorum (sequence of offices) found men entering the clerical state through tonsure , then ordination to the minor orders of lector, porter, exorcist, acolyte before ordination to the major orders of sub-deacon and deacon, all stages on the path to priesthood. Only men destined for priesthood were permitted to be ordained deacons. As seminaries developed, following

5561-462: The honor-based culture of the time, such behavior went against the social grain. Samaritans, positioned between Jesus' Galilee and Jerusalem's Judea, were mutually hostile with Jews. In Luke and John, Jesus extends his ministry to Samaritans. In Luke (10:38–42), Mary, sister of Lazarus , is contrasted with her sister Martha , who was "cumbered about many things" while Jesus was their guest, while Mary had chosen "the better part," that of listening to

5644-481: The importance of this, and another in Luke 14:26 : " If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. " There are different interpretations of this text on counting the cost of discipleship. The "Discipleship Movement" (also known as the "Shepherding Movement") was an influential and controversial movement within some British and American churches, emerging in

5727-538: The master's discourse. John names her as the "one who had anointed the Lord with perfumed oil and dried his feet with her hair" (11:2). In Luke, an unidentified "sinner" in the house of a Pharisee anoints Jesus' feet. Luke refers to a number of people accompanying Jesus and the twelve. From among them he names three women: " Mary, called Magdalene , ... and Joanna the wife of Herod's steward Chuza, and Susanna , and many others, who provided for them out of their resources" (Luke 8:2–3). Mary Magdalene and Joanna are among

5810-406: The name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20a). Jesus called on disciples to give up their wealth and their familial ties. In his society, family was the individual's source of identity, so renouncing it would mean becoming virtually nobody. In Luke 9:58–62 , Jesus used a hyperbolic metaphor to stress

5893-699: The opportunity to lay out the problems with the religiosity of his adversaries against his own teaching by giving a litany of shocking comparisons between various, apparent socio-political and socio-economic realities versus the meaning of being his disciple. The canonical gospels , Acts , and the Pauline epistles urge disciples to be imitators of Jesus Christ or of God himself. Being imitators requires obedience exemplified by moral behavior. With this biblical basis, Christian theology teaches that discipleship entails transformation from some other worldview and practice of life into that of Jesus Christ, and so, by way of Trinitarian theology, of God himself. Paul

5976-433: The permanent diaconate varies from diocese to diocese as determined by the local ordinary, but it usually entails a period of prayerful preparation and several years of study. Diaconal candidates receive instruction in philosophy , theology , study of the Bible , homiletics , sacramental studies, evangelization , ecclesiology , counseling, and pastoral care and ministry before ordination. They may be assigned to work in

6059-511: The reception of the body at a service in the funeral home, and may assist the priest at the requiem Mass. They can also preside over various services such as Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament , and they may give certain blessings. While in ancient history their tasks and competencies varied, today deacons cannot hear confession and give absolution, anoint the sick, or celebrate Mass. The vestments most particularly associated with

6142-517: The role of the deacon "as a co-operator" and "go-between," emphasizing their intermediary position in early Christian communities. It is generally assumed that the office of deacon originated in the selection of seven men by the apostles, among them Stephen , to assist with the charitable work of the early church as recorded in Acts of the Apostles chapter 6. Newer research emphasizes that while

6225-495: The stranger is revealed, in blessing and breaking the bread, as the risen Jesus before he disappears. Cleopas and his friend hasten to Jerusalem to carry the news to the other disciples, to discover that Jesus has appeared there also and will do so again. The incident is without parallel in Matthew, Mark, or John. A definition of disciple is suggested by Jesus's self-referential example from the Gospel of John 13:34–35: "I give you

6308-593: The teachings of Jesus Christ, but seeks a fundamental shift toward the ethics of Jesus Christ in every way, including complete devotion to God. In several Christian traditions, the process of becoming a disciple is called the Imitation of Christ . This concept goes back to the Pauline epistles: "be imitators of God" (Ephesians 5:1) and "be imitators of me, as I am of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1). The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis promoted this concept in

6391-442: The title of protodeacon. In the Greek usage, the chief deacon who is attached to the person of a bishop is called an archdeacon. In the Slavic usage a protodeacon or archdeacon wears a distinctive orarion (deacon's stole). The title of protodeacon is an award, not a distinctive order of ministry ; so while a man may be ordained a deacon, he is said to be 'elevated' to the rank of protodeacon. This elevation may be awarded only by

6474-431: The two other orders, bishops and priests, pray the Liturgy of the Hours ; however, deacons are usually only required to pray morning and evening prayer. In addition to proclaiming the Gospel and assisting in the distribution of holy communion , the deacon censes the icons and people, calls the people to prayer, leads the litanies , and has a role in the dialogue of the anaphora . In keeping with Eastern tradition,

6557-547: The various Presbyterian denominations, such as the Presbyterian Church (USA) , Presbyterian Church in America and Orthodox Presbyterian Church , also elect deacons, along with elders . However, in some churches the property-functions of the diaconate and session of elders is commended to an independent board of trustees . In many Dutch Reformed churches deacons are charged with ministries of mercy. As such,

6640-556: The way for Jesus (Luke 10). They are sometimes referred to as the "Seventy" or the " Seventy Disciples ". They are to eat any food offered, heal the sick and spread the word that the Kingdom of God is coming. Jesus practiced open table fellowship, scandalizing his critics by dining with sinners, tax collectors, Samaritans, and women. The gospels use the term "sinners and tax collectors" to depict those he fraternized with. Sinners were Jews who violated purity rules , or generally any of

6723-530: The women who went to prepare Jesus's body in Luke's account of the resurrection, and who later told the apostles and other disciples about the empty tomb and words of the "two men in dazzling clothes". Mary Magdalene is the most well-known of the disciples outside of the Twelve. More is written in the gospels about her than the other female followers. There is also a large body of lore and literature covering her. Other gospel writers differ as to which women witness

6806-417: The word "disciple" is not derived primarily from its root meaning or etymology but from its widespread usage in the ancient world . Disciples are found in the world outside of the Bible. For example among the ancient Greek philosophers , disciples learned by imitating the teacher’s entire way of life and not just by remembering the spoken words of the teacher. The first-century philosopher Seneca appeals to

6889-413: Was later denounced by several of its founders, although some form of the movement continues today. Radical discipleship is a movement in practical theology that has emerged from a yearning to follow the true message of Jesus and a discontentment with mainstream Christianity. Radical Christians, such as Ched Myers and Lee Camp, believe mainstream Christianity has moved away from its origins, namely

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