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Diaconate:
The state of being a deacon; also, the life of deacon-like service in the Church.
D.Min.: Doctor of Ministry, a special graduate program and degree beyond a Master's degree for clergy offered by many seminaries; courses are often scheduled in the summer so that parish clergy may attend.
D.D.: Common abbreviation of the honorary degree Doctor of Divinity; an honorary degree reserved exclusively for ordained persons, especially bishops.
Deacon: From the Greek diakonos ("servant"). A deacon, like a bishop or priest, is an ordained minister, the initial level of ordination in the Episcopal Church. There are two types of deacons - transitional deacons, who will soon be ordained to the priesthood, and permanent deacons, who chose the order as a permanent servant ministry.
The New Testament records the appointment of the first deacons in Acts 6 and lists their qualifications for office in I Timothy 3.
Deacons usually serve in local congregations and have a special ministry to "the poor, the sick, the suffering, and the helpless" (BCP p. 510). During the Eucharist, the main jobs of the deacon are to read the Gospel, (in some churches to lead the Prayers of the People), prepare the gifts at the Offertory, help with the ablutions, assist with the administration of Communion, and dismiss the people. In the absence of a bishop or priest, a deacon may administer Communion from the Reserved Sacrament (BCP, pp. 408-409).
Deacons are addressed as Deacon, Mister, Miss, Mrs., etc. according to preference or local custom, or, more formally, "The Reverend [full name]." The state of being a deacon, or the life of deacon-like service in the church, is known as the diaconate.
An archdeacon is a deacon or priest who is part of a bishop's staff and who usually has some administrative supervision over missions for the bishop or other such functions. Archdeacons are referred to as "The Venerable [full name]" as in "The Venerable John Smith." Archdeacons sometimes wear purple cassocks instead of black ones, or black cassocks with purple piping.
Dean: From Latin decanus ("ten").
Originally the title was given to a minor official who served in
some supervisory position over ten people. The title is now used to
refer to the chief priest of a cathedral, the chief academic officer of a college or seminary, or the head of a deanery.
The title "The Very Reverend [full name]" is appropriate.
Diocesan: The chief bishop of a diocese.
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