reconciliation.
Ca. 300
Ca. 306
Ca. 314
Ca. 325
Ca. 380
Ca. 400
Ca. 475
Maintain good order and discipline: “instruct,
persuade, admonish, rebuke.” (Apostolic Church
Order)
Head small, rural congregations; baptize when in
charge of congregation; distribute communion to
the dying with permission of presbyter or bishop
Some deacons may have presided at the
Eucharist, probably under extraordinary
circumstances. Forbidden at Council of Arles;
deacons now do nothing without the presbyter’s
knowledge” (Arles)
Deacons not to preside at Eucharist; deacons
subordinate to presbyters. (Nicaea)
Announce various stages of the Eucharist;
proclaim the Gospel at the Eucharist; bid the
prayers of the people at the Eucharist; announce
the kiss of peace; represent their bishop at
synods; preside over quarrels among Christians;
investigate and welcome newcomers; assist at
Baptism (notice change in role from ca. 200)
(Apostolic Constitutions)
Responsible for catechesis (Augustine)
Subordinate to bishops and presbyters; ordained
non ad sacerdotium sed ad ministerium
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