archdeacon

[ahrch-dee-kuhn]

noun

1. an ecclesiastic, ranking next below a bishop and having charge of the temporal and external administration of a diocese, with jurisdiction delegated from the bishop.

2. Roman Catholic Church.,  a title of honor conferred only on a member of a cathedral chapter.

archdeacon

/ ˈɑːtʃˈdiːkən /

noun

1. an Anglican clergyman ranking just below a bishop and having supervisory duties under the bishop

2. a clergyman of similar rank in other Churches

Other Word Forms

• archdeaconate noun
• archdeaconship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of archdeacon¹

before 1000; Middle English archideken, Old English arcediacon < Late Latin archidiāconus < Greek archidiā́konos. See arch- ¹, deacon

Example Sentences

It added the review would consider how allegations were handled in current systems for the appointment of archdeacons and bishops, and whether changes were necessary.

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Tony Pierce was your parish priest, your archdeacon, your bishop.

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By the age of 24, Laval was ordained a priest; he was quickly named an archdeacon and eventually a bishop.

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Mina Smallman, the former Church of England archdeacon whose daughters Nicole and Bibaa were murdered in a London park, will examine support for victims of crime and look into the Reclaim These Streets movement.

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The investigation into Fr Griffin began because an official in the Anglican Diocese of London suggested to his archdeacon that he undertake a "brain dump" of information he had acquired before his retirement.

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Related Words

• bishop 
• pastor