Definition of deacon

The origin of the word "deacon" can be traced back to the New Testament of the Bible. In ancient Greek, the word "diakonos" (διάκονος) referred to a servant or minister. In Christian tradition, deacons were chosen from among the earliest Christian communities to assist the apostles in their charitable and administrative duties. The Greek word "diakonos" was used to describe these servants in passages such as Acts 6:1-6 and Philippians 1:1. Over time, the term "deacon" evolved from the Latin "diaconus," which was derived from the Greek "diakonos." Today, the term refers to an ordained minister in many Christian denominations, including the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, and many Protestant churches, who assists the pastor or priest in various ministries and tasks.