the Liturgy itself, deacons were the herald of the Gospel, even preaching the homily at times.
They presented the offerings of the faithful and proclaimed the names of those who contributed.
Deacons administered the chalice of the precious blood and at times the sacred host and of
course carried away the remnants of the blessed sacrament to the sacristy or tabernacle. There is
even indication that deacons in some remote areas, offered the eucharist, although this abuse was
severely repressed at the Council of Arles in 314 AD. 19 It could be said of the second through the
early part of the fourth century that it was a “golden age” of the diaconate. After the Council of
Arles and the Council of Nicaea the role of the deacon will decline. Their functions will begin to
fall into disuse and tensions will rise between deacons and priests.
19
Cf. Herbert Thurston, "Deacons." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 4. New York: Robert Appleton
Company,1908. Accessed June 19, 2018 5-7
14