Diaconate
/daɪˈækənət/noun
The office, rank, or ministry of a deacon in a Christian church.
Did you know?The diaconate developed from the Greek idea of a diakonos, a servant or attendant, making humble service the linguistic foundation of a formal sacred office.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
διάκονος (diákonos)
“A servant, attendant, or minister; the ultimate origin is uncertain.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
διακονία (diakonía)
“Service, attendance, or ministry.”
Late Antiquity
Late Greek
διακονᾶτον (diakonâton)
“The office or place associated with a deacon.”
4th Century
Late Latin
diaconatus
“The office or rank of a deacon.”
Old English
English
diacon
“A deacon or church minister, borrowed from ecclesiastical Latin.”
16th Century
English
diaconate
“The office or order of a deacon, later used as the standard English term.”