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72-644: The adjective rural does not mean the role is restricted to the countryside, but distinguishes them from the deans of cathedral chapters , which were historically in cities. In some Church of England dioceses rural deans have been formally renamed as area deans . The title "dean" (Latin decanus ) may derive from the custom of dividing a hundred into ten tithings , not least as rural deaneries originally corresponded with wapentakes, hundreds , commotes or cantrefi in Wales. Many rural deaneries retain these ancient names. The first mention of rural deans comes from

144-426: 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

216-497: 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

288-588: 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

360-582: A degree of leadership among the priests of the region, known as a deanery . This function is sometimes titled "vicar forane" ( forane is Latin for "in a foreign land"). An episcopal vicar serves a similar function, but has more formal authority and specific powers under canon law . In recent years, the Catholic Church in England and Wales has introduced the custom of designating cathedral deans, formerly known as cathedral administrators. However,

432-691: 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

504-576: 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

576-483: A law made by Edward the Confessor , which refers to the rural dean being appointed by the bishop "to have the inspection of clergy and people from within the district to which he was incumbent... to which end [he] had power to convene rural chapters." The first known rural dean is Robert de Eclesfield, who was appointed to the position in the diocese of York in 1148. In medieval times rural deans acted as officers of

648-518: 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

720-435: 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

792-835: 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 , the Anglican Communion , and the United Methodist Church . In the Catholic, Scandinavian Lutheran , Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox , and Persian churches,

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864-535: A series of area deans to supervise the clergy in a given geographical area. In the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland , there are also deans in charge of leading the administrative work and personnel of the Chapters. United Methodists often speak of a "dean" in terms of the dean of the cabinet. Every annual conference has a bishop's cabinet made up of the district superintendents under

936-578: 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,

1008-450: 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

1080-626: Is called a sub-dean. Latin decanus in the Roman military was the head of a group of ten soldiers within a centuria , and by the 5th century it was the head of a group of ten monks. It came to refer to various civil functionaries in the later Roman Empire. Based on the monastic use, it came to mean the head of a chapter of canons of a collegiate church or cathedral church . Based on that use, deans in universities now fill various administrative positions. Latin decanus should not be confused with Greek diákonos (διάκονος), from which

1152-769: 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

1224-600: 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,

1296-538: 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

1368-613: 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 the diaconate as an order of ministry . Permanent deacons are deacons who are not transitioning into

1440-592: 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 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,

1512-430: 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

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1584-439: 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

1656-503: 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

1728-673: 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 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

1800-564: 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

1872-503: 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

1944-588: 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

2016-407: The Anglican Communion , the dean is the chief resident cleric of a cathedral or other collegiate church and the head of the chapter of canons . If the cathedral or collegiate church has its own parish, the dean is usually also rector of the parish. However, in the Church of Ireland the roles are often separated, and most cathedrals in the Church of England do not have associated parishes. In

2088-697: The Church in Wales , however, most cathedrals are parish churches, and their deans are now also vicars of their parishes. In some parts of the Communion (particularly in the Scottish Episcopal Church and, formerly in some cathedrals in England), the senior resident cleric in a cathedral is a provost . Each diocese of the Scottish Episcopal Church has a dean of the diocese : this is a cleric who, rather than heading

2160-651: 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

2232-566: 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, a serving Roman deacon was raised to Pope, Silverius . The diaconate has been retained as

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2304-588: 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

2376-516: 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

2448-658: 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

2520-422: The cathedral and monastery schools , a university dean came to be an official with various administrative duties. The chief priest of a Catholic cathedral is a dean. The title "dean" is conferred upon a parish priest who serves as a senior figure, though usually without specific jurisdictional authority, over a section of a diocese. These are sometimes referred to as "rural deans", and are expected to show

2592-480: The installation (into his/her stall in the cathedral church); an "institution and installation" are very often referred to simply as an installation. In consideration of the high status of a Dean, the Very Reverend title is normally a permanent title preferment. Some important deans include the deans of St Paul's , Canterbury Cathedral and Westminster Abbey . Westminster Abbey is a royal peculiar , not

2664-436: 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

2736-500: 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

2808-466: 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 the role of the deacon "as a co-operator" and "go-between," emphasizing their intermediary position in early Christian communities. It

2880-482: 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

2952-592: 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

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3024-538: 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

3096-487: 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

3168-424: 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

3240-459: The bishop's appointment, as well as occasionally a few other conference officials. One of these superintendents is chosen by his or her colleagues to serve as the dean, usually for one year. This dean then has certain administrative and leadership responsibilities, and is accountable to the bishop. Deacon A deacon is a member of the diaconate , an office in Christian churches that

3312-560: The cathedral staff, assists the bishop in the administration of the diocese. In this way, a Scottish Episcopal dean is similar to an archdeacon in the other member churches of the Communion (a post that does not exist in the Scottish church). In the Anglican Church of Canada , the roles of senior cleric of the cathedral are combined in one person who is referred to as "Rector of Cathedral and Dean of Diocese". Thus, Peter Elliott

3384-465: 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

3456-575: 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

3528-548: 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

3600-411: The deanery's parishes, who is called a rural dean , but in more urban areas this has often been replaced by the title area dean or regional dean . Such a dean chairs the meeting of the deanery's clergy (which, like a cathedral, is called a chapter), and may also chair a deanery synod . Rural deans (and those known by alternative titles) rank as primi inter pares of their chapters, and do not have

3672-674: 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

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3744-412: 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 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

3816-430: 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

3888-485: The diocesan bishop and prepared business for the archdeacons to determine at their visitations. Archdeacons gradually took over most of the duties of rural deans and the office was allowed to become a sinecure by the 16th century. In the Roman Catholic Church, a dean or rural dean is a priest, usually pastor of a parish within the deanery area. The dean serves as a liaison between the diocesan bishop and

3960-461: 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

4032-433: 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

4104-578: 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

4176-477: The modification of deanery boundaries, through the provisions of the Archdeaconries and Rural Deaneries Act 1874 ( 37 & 38 Vict. c. 63). Canon C23 sets out the legal basis of the current role of rural deans. It sets out that rural deans will report to the bishop on significant matters, including illness and vacancies, and will investigate if there are problems in the parish. It also sets out that

4248-484: 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

4320-528: The priests and parishes of the deanery, and chairs meetings of the clergy of the deanery. He serves many of the same functions, with somewhat less canonical authority, than an episcopal vicar does. In the Church of England, the office of rural dean was revived by the Bishop of Norwich in 1836/1837. During the nineteenth century the office became more significant, and by the middle of the century rural deaneries were established in law, which also made provision for

4392-511: 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

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4464-530: The rural dean will be joint chair, with the Lay Chair, of the deanery synod . The current role of the rural dean has been summarised by the Diocese of Chichester as: Rural deans also usually have a significant role during clergy vacancies, along with the churchwardens and are often involved in the selection of new clergy. It is also becoming increasingly common to appoint assistant rural deans, to reduce

4536-479: The seat of any bishop or a cathedral, but is led by a dean. The deans of Washington National Cathedral and St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin are likewise important clerics in their churches. In many parts of the Anglican Communion, parishes are grouped together to form deaneries , each being a constituent administrative district of the diocese. Usually, a deanery is led by one of the incumbents of

4608-523: The seniority of cathedral or diocesan deans. The head of an Anglican theological college or seminary may also be called a dean (in common with its use in education ). Within the Lutheran tradition, particularly in the Nordic and Baltic tradition of evangelical episcopal Lutheranism, senior clergy bear the title 'Dean'. Each diocese usually has a cathedral Dean, in charge of the cathedral church, and

4680-603: The term rector is used for the priest who serves as chief administrator of a cathedral church, as it is in other religious communities. Another important use of the term within the Catholic Church is in the office of the Dean of the College of Cardinals , who serves as senior member of that body. The current Dean is Giovanni Battista Cardinal Re , approved on 18 January 2020. In the Church of England and elsewhere in

4752-471: The term differs slightly from the Anglican usage as Catholic deans do not necessarily preside over the cathedral chapter (this function belonging to the office of Provost ) and are not necessarily required even to be a member of the chapter. More commonly, in places throughout the world where a cathedral chapter has not been erected (as for instance, in the United States, where there are no chapters at all),

4824-483: 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,

4896-422: 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,

4968-423: The word deacon derives, which describes a supportive role. In the Catholic Church , the Dean of the College of Cardinals and the Cardinal Vice-Dean are the president and vice-president of the college. Both are elected. Except for presiding and delegating administrative tasks, they have no authority over the cardinals, acting as primus inter pares (first among equals). In the universities that grew out of

5040-476: The workload of rural deans. The Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 2000 2.12(4) allows the diocesan bishop to officially rename a rural dean as an area dean. Dean (Christianity)#Cathedrals A dean , in an ecclesiastical context, is a cleric holding certain positions of authority within a religious hierarchy. The title is used mainly in the Catholic Church , the Anglican Communion , and many Lutheran denominations . A dean's assistant

5112-409: Was Rector of Christ Church Cathedral and Dean of New Westminster . The style The Very Reverend distinguishes a cleric as a dean (or a cathedral provost). For example, the Very Reverend June Osborne was Dean of Salisbury Cathedral . The legal act by which a cathedral dean in the Church of England takes up his or her role is the institution , which is invariably followed in the same service by

5184-438: 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 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

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