archdeacon

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a senior Christian cleric who assists a bishop in administering part or all of a diocese, especially in the Anglican Church

   The archdeacon visited the parish and reported its needs to the bishop.

From Middle English and Old English forms ultimately derived from Late Latin archidiaconus, itself from Greek archidiakonos, 'chief servant or chief deacon.' The first element archi- means 'chief,' while diakonos means 'servant or minister.' The office developed into a senior diocesan administrative rank below a bishop.

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