Eastern deacons

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MarcusAndreas

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How does the deacon function in the Eastern church? How does it differ from the Latin diaconate?
 
Within the context of the Divine Liturgy, the Deacon has a very active role, more so than in the Roman Catholic Mass. On the other hand, in the West, there are roles permitted to the Deacon that are not in the East. Our deacons do not officiate at baptisms or weddings and they do not give blessings.
 
Roman Deacon
Liturgical role: proclaim the gospel, preach, lead the prayers of the faithful, be the minister of the cup, announce the dismissal, assist the priest, Serve as OMHC.
Paraliturgical role: Lead communion services, benediction; perform weddings, baptisms.
Extraliturgical role: teach the faith, bless sacramentals, take viaticum to the dying if a priest can’t, marriage prep, other duties as assigned by the bishop.

Byzantine Deacon
Liturgical role: chant the gospel, preach, lead the Ektenia (eqivalent of prayers of the faithful), be the minister of the cup, be the minister of the Censor, assist the priest, serve as EMHC
Paraliturgical role: Lead the ektenie in the paraliturgical celebrations.
Extraliturgical role: teach the faith, take viaticum to the dying if a priest can’t, marriage prep, other duties as assigned by the bishop.

Special faculties needed: perform Deacon’s Typica (communion service), vest in absence of priest, permit servers and subdeacons to vest in absence of priest, preach in absence of the pastor or bishop.
 
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