DEACON, comes from the Greek, DiaconosΔιάκονος. Diaconus. Minister. Acts vi. 1., which signifies, Minister, Servant. This word is made use of in the language of the Church, to denote those whose office it is to assist the Bishop or Priest in the distribution of the Eucharist, and besides this, in the service of the poor, and administring what is necessary for them. The number of the disciples increasing daily at Jerusalem, the Greeks, that is to say, the Gentile Converts, began to murmur against the Hebrews, and to complain, that their widows were neglected in the distribution of Alms, which was made every day. Hereupon the Apostles called the multitude of Believers together, and said, It is not reasonable that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables: wherefore look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and Wisdom, whom ye may appoint over this business. They therefore chose seven, viz. Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas: these they presented to the Apostles, and they were ordained by prayer, and imposition of hands.
1 Tim. iii. 8, 12.Saint Paul in his first Epistle to Timothy, requires that Deacons should be chaste, sincere, and blameless; that they should be neither great drinkers, nor given to filthy lucre; that they should hold the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience; that they should be well proved before they were admitted into the sacred ministry; that they should be the husbands of one wife, and should take care of their house and family.