deacon

[ˈdiːkən]

deacon Definition

• 1. an ordained minister of an order ranking below that of priest
• 2. a member of the Protestant Church who is appointed to assist the minister, especially in secular affairs
• 3. a person chosen to perform various tasks, especially a servant or attendant in a church

Using deacon: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "deacon" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The deacon delivered the sermon at the Sunday service.

• Example

  He was ordained as a deacon last year.

• Example

  The church has several deacons who help with administrative tasks.

• Example

  She volunteers as a deacon at the local soup kitchen.

deacon Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for deacon

• minister
• clergyman
• preacher
• pastor
• evangelist

Antonyms for deacon

• layperson

Idioms Using deacon

• deacon's duty

  a task or responsibility that is considered important or necessary for a deacon to perform

  Example

  It's the deacon's duty to make sure the church is clean and well-maintained.

• play the deacon

  to pretend to be virtuous or pious

  Example

  He likes to play the deacon, but I know he's not as innocent as he seems.

• deacon's steal

  a small pocket or pouch attached to a deacon's robe, used for carrying small items such as coins or communion wafers

  Example

  He reached into his deacon's steal and pulled out a handful of coins to donate to the church.

Phrases with deacon

• ordained deacon

  a deacon who has been officially recognized by a religious organization and given authority to perform certain religious rites and ceremonies

  Example

  He was ordained as a deacon in the Catholic Church.

• board of deacons

  a group of deacons who are responsible for managing the affairs of a church

  Example

  The board of deacons meets once a month to discuss church business.

• deacon's bench

  a long wooden bench with a high back and arms, often used in churches

  Example

  The deacon's bench was filled with people waiting to speak with the pastor after the service.

Origins of deacon

from Old English 'diacon', from ecclesiastical Latin 'diaconus', from Greek 'diakonos' meaning 'servant'

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Summary: deacon in Brief

'Deacon' [ˈdiːkən] refers to an ordained minister of an order ranking below that of priest, or a member of the Protestant Church who assists the minister, especially in secular affairs. It can also refer to a person chosen to perform various tasks, especially a servant or attendant in a church. Phrases like 'board of deacons' and idioms like 'deacon's duty' extend its usage. Examples include 'The deacon delivered the sermon at the Sunday service.' and 'She volunteers as a deacon at the local soup kitchen.'