Christianity
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Was Phoebe a deacon?
Was Phoebe a deacon? The NIV/NLT translators seem to think deacon: > **Romans 16:1 (NIV)** I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a **deacon** of the church in Cenchreae. Furthermore, when I read the qualifications for a deacon in 1 Timothy 3, I see that a deacon should clearly be a man: > **1 Timothy...
Was Phoebe a deacon?
The NIV/NLT translators seem to think deacon:
> **Romans 16:1 (NIV)** I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a **deacon** of the church in Cenchreae.
Furthermore, when I read the qualifications for a deacon in 1 Timothy 3, I see that a deacon should clearly be a man:
> **1 Timothy 3:8–12 (ESV)** Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. **Their wives** likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the **husband of one wife**, managing their children and their own households well.
Most other translations call Phoebe a "servant" instead of "deacon", however the greek word for deacon in both passages is διάκονος . I'm not sure what to make of this.
LCIII
(9497 rep)
Aug 15, 2014, 02:03 PM
• Last activity: Apr 27, 2025, 01:09 AM
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History of the age restrictions in the Priesthood in the LDS Church
In the LDS Church, some offices in the Priesthood have minimum age requirements: - A deacon must be at least 12 years old - A teacher must be at least 14 years old - A priest must be at least 16 years old - An elder must be at least 18 years old I am wondering, what is the history of these age requi...
In the LDS Church, some offices in the Priesthood have minimum age requirements:
- A deacon must be at least 12 years old
- A teacher must be at least 14 years old
- A priest must be at least 16 years old
- An elder must be at least 18 years old
I am wondering, what is the history of these age requirements?
Christopher King
(1223 rep)
May 21, 2018, 11:52 AM
• Last activity: Jan 22, 2023, 04:21 AM
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Why is it okay for a married man to become a deacon, but not okay for a deacon to get married?
> Can. 1042 The following are simply impeded from receiving orders: > > 1/ a man who has a wife, unless he is legitimately destined to the permanent diaconate; > Can. 1087 Those in sacred orders invalidly attempt marriage. Why does only the first of these have an exception for the permanent diaconat...
> Can. 1042 The following are simply impeded from receiving orders:
>
> 1/ a man who has a wife, unless he is legitimately destined to the permanent diaconate;
> Can. 1087 Those in sacred orders invalidly attempt marriage.
Why does only the first of these have an exception for the permanent diaconate? In other words, why is being a married deacon okay if you get married first, but not if you become a deacon first?
Joseph Sible-Reinstate Monica
(203 rep)
Jan 31, 2022, 06:59 AM
• Last activity: Jan 31, 2022, 03:47 PM
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What do Catholic Deacons do that a Priest would never do?
In the Latin rite of the Catholic Church we have permanent Deacons. What do they do that a Priest would never do? I know they cannot say Mass and hear Confessions. There must be a good reason why we have men who are ordained but not allowed to say Mass or hear Confessions. Why do we even have Deacon...
In the Latin rite of the Catholic Church we have permanent Deacons. What do they do that a Priest would never do? I know they cannot say Mass and hear Confessions. There must be a good reason why we have men who are ordained but not allowed to say Mass or hear Confessions. Why do we even have Deacons?
Hank
(412 rep)
Dec 1, 2020, 02:27 PM
• Last activity: Dec 1, 2020, 11:41 PM
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Where did the idea of deacon's benches come from and what are they for?
A friend of mine is a few months from ordination to the permanent deaconate, I thought it'd be a fun project for the my Timberwolf troop to make him a [Deacon's Bench](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/deacon's_bench). But is that something deacon's typically have or is the whole idea of a deacon's ben...
A friend of mine is a few months from ordination to the permanent deaconate, I thought it'd be a fun project for the my Timberwolf troop to make him a [Deacon's Bench](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/deacon 's_bench). But is that something deacon's typically have or is the whole idea of a deacon's bench just a wide bench that a couple of deacons can sit on in the sanctuary of a church during Mass (or do deacons often have butts that wide?)? And hence, kind of a pointless things to give a deacon.
Also, is it a more properly called a deacons' bench?
[Pintrest link](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/229542912231600413/)
for people who might want to look at some wide benches.
Peter Turner
(34456 rep)
Jan 20, 2020, 09:12 PM
• Last activity: Jan 21, 2020, 11:53 AM
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Why are archdeacons (Anglican, Catholic, or Orthodox) called "The Venerable"? What is the origin, in Latin and English, of this title?
Wikipedia doesn't seem to provide a fleshed-out etymology of this title. Who first held it? When did its usage become applied to all archdeacons. And do archdeacons ever have issues with the title, which doesn't necessarily indicate their priestly/diaconal status?
Wikipedia doesn't seem to provide a fleshed-out etymology of this title. Who first held it? When did its usage become applied to all archdeacons. And do archdeacons ever have issues with the title, which doesn't necessarily indicate their priestly/diaconal status?
Phil Hobrla
(299 rep)
May 19, 2015, 03:20 PM
• Last activity: Sep 4, 2019, 05:01 PM
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In Catholicism, why can deacons not celebrate all sacraments, but only Baptism (and Matrimony)?
According to [this post](http://canonlawmadeeasy.com/2013/09/26/what-can-and-cant-a-deacon-do/) by an expert in Canon Law, deacons can only celebrate the sacrament of Baptism and Matrimony. Similarly, Wikipedia states (apparently wrongly) that deacons can only celebrate baptism: >Deacons, like pries...
According to [this post](http://canonlawmadeeasy.com/2013/09/26/what-can-and-cant-a-deacon-do/) by an expert in Canon Law, deacons can only celebrate the sacrament of Baptism and Matrimony.
Similarly, Wikipedia states (apparently wrongly) that deacons can only celebrate baptism:
>Deacons, like priests and bishops, are ordinary ministers of the sacrament of Baptism and can serve as the church's witness at the sacrament of Holy Matrimony, which the bride and groom administer to each other (though if the exchange of vows takes place in a wedding Mass, or Nuptial Mass, the Mass is celebrated by the priest and the deacon acts as another witness). Deacons may preside at funeral rites not involving a Mass (e.g., the final commendation at the gravesite or the reception of the body at a service in the funeral home), and may assist the priest at the Requiem Mass. They can preside over various services such as Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, and they may give certain blessings. **They cannot hear confession and give absolution, anoint the sick, or celebrate Mass.**
I went to the respective entries in the Canon Law (e.g. Mass celebration [here](http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P38.HTM)) , but they do not state **why** the restriction (as expected, since it is only law).
I wonder which is the origin of these **restrictions**, i.e why the deacon **cannot** celebrate some sacraments. Is this part of the Tradition? I am particularly interested in the celebration of Mass. In fact, since deacons can be married, allowing deacons to celebrate Mass is a proxy for "married priests". This could perhaps be one of the reasons against it?
luchonacho
(4702 rep)
Jan 19, 2018, 02:44 PM
• Last activity: Jan 20, 2019, 01:25 PM
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Should a wife of permanent deacon candidate be a Catholic?
Should a wife of permanent deacon candidate be a Catholic? Can she belong to some schismatic (non-Catholic) church, like Eastern Orthodox, for instance?
Should a wife of permanent deacon candidate be a Catholic?
Can she belong to some schismatic (non-Catholic) church, like Eastern Orthodox, for instance?
Andremoniy
(1388 rep)
Apr 27, 2017, 09:37 AM
• Last activity: Apr 28, 2017, 02:56 AM
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In Presbyterianism, what is the basis for a parallel between the office of deacon and Christ's priestly office?
In Presbyterianism, there are three "titles" that can be given to officers of a church: - Teaching elder (e.g., pastors) - Ruling elder - Deacon Last weekend I heard something rather novel, at least to me 1 —that these three titles parallel the three offices of Christ (prophet, priest, and king): -...
In Presbyterianism, there are three "titles" that can be given to officers of a church:
- Teaching elder (e.g., pastors)
- Ruling elder
- Deacon
Last weekend I heard something rather novel, at least to me1—that these three titles parallel the three offices of Christ (prophet, priest, and king):
- Teaching elder – Prophet – proclaims God's word
- Ruling elder – King – rules and directs the church; responsible for church discipline
- Deacon – Priest – ????
The parallels are obviously not perfect even in the first two cases, since ruling elders also proclaim God's word (at least in small groups and classes, if not preaching from the pulpit), and teaching elders also participate in ruling and directing the church. Still, I can see the connection.
However, I do *not* see the connection between the office of deacons and Christ's priestly office. So that's my question:
**Given a Reformed and Presbyterian polity and christology, what is the basis for making a parallel between the office of deacon and Christ's priestly office?**
There's likely to be some biblical basis for this, but I'm most interested in the biblical arguments made by those *who hold to Reformed, Presbyterian beliefs*. Those who do not share this framework, if they make a connection between these two offices, might do so for different reasons.
----------
1. This view is held by "some Reformed textbooks," [according to G. I. Williamson](http://opc.org/OS/html/V1/2c.html) , so it's not just the view of the person I heard it from. Unfortunately Williamson doesn't mention which texts argue for this.
Nathaniel is protesting
(42928 rep)
May 16, 2016, 02:56 PM
• Last activity: Sep 21, 2016, 02:01 AM
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Why doesn't the Catholic Church ordain women to be deacons?
I understand that women within the Roman Catholic Church and I am guessing in the Eastern Rite Catholic Churches as well, cannot be ordained Priests. What I am wondering, is why they cannot be ordained as Permanent Deacons? Where is this written in Canon Law, and if it is, WHY? The traditional Deaco...
I understand that women within the Roman Catholic Church and I am guessing in the Eastern Rite Catholic Churches as well, cannot be ordained Priests.
What I am wondering, is why they cannot be ordained as Permanent Deacons? Where is this written in Canon Law, and if it is, WHY? The traditional Deacon positions I can understand them not being allowed into, as it leads to the Priesthood.
It would seem to me, that in this day and age of the great lack of Priests we see around our country (USA) and even around the world in many other countries, that this would an excellent way to ensure the Priests that need help would be able to get it. The Women would be doing the exact same duties and functions that Men Permanent Deacons presently do; so it is not like there are any need to change the rules regarding the positions, just the allowance to have women being able to serve as well. This seems to me to be a no-brainer for our Church, and would at the same time give women more inclusion in the Church functions. It could be open to both the laity and Religious women.
James Miller
(41 rep)
Feb 28, 2016, 05:49 AM
• Last activity: Feb 29, 2016, 03:06 AM
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