The Order of Deaconesses

A Brief History of Deaconesses

The recognized service of women in the Church dates from apostolic days. The term diakonos—literally, “servant”—used both for deacons and, in the early days, for deaconesses, is applied by St. Paul (Romans 16:1) to “Phoebe, a diakonos of the Church which is in Cenchraea.” Through the letters of St. Chrysostom we know that forty deaconesses were attached to the principal church of Constantinople about the year 400 A.D. There are other records of deaconesses at Antioch and throughout the East, and evidence that the Office was well known in the Church by the 4th Century. In the Middle Ages, the Office fell into disuse for a variety of reasons.

Because of the social reforms that occurred in the 19th Century, a great need became apparent for such a ministry of women. Following the lead of Lutherans in Germany, the Order was revived in the Church of England by the Bishop of London in 1861, and in America by a canon of 1889 (PECUSA – Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America). In 1920, the Lambeth Conference urged restoration of the Order throughout the Anglican Communion. During this period Deaconesses led the way in missionary work, especially in America.

Unfortunately, the Order in America was dissolved into the Diaconate when, in 1976, the Episcopal Church approved the ordination of women to Holy Orders. In other jurisdictions of the Anglican Communion, the Order of Deaconesses continues to serve alongside the clergy, even though some of those jurisdictions have also allowed the ordination of women.

When several thousand traditional Anglicans met together at the landmark Congress of St. Louis in 1977, to object to the abandonment of apostolic order in the Episcopal Church, the issue of Deaconesses was addressed. At that meeting a fundamental confessional charter, known as The Affirmation of St. Louis which binds Continuing (Traditional) Anglicans worldwide, was adopted. Recognizing the continuing need for a specialized ministry of women, it declares as one of the “essential principles of evangelical Truth and apostolic Order: The ancient office and ministry of Deaconesses as a lay vocation for women, affirming the need for proper encouragement of that office.” Since that time, a number of women have been admitted to the Office in traditional Anglican jurisdictions.

In 2002, The Reformed Episcopal Church adopted a Canon to officially recognize the Order of Deaconesses and established requirements for candidacy. (Read Canon 22, “Of Deaconesses.”) As of May 2012, there were 11 Deaconesses set apart in the REC, with 4 in formation, and 16 Deaconesses in other Anglican jurisdictions.

A Brief Apologia for Deaconesses

Traditionally recognized in Anglican circles by her distinctive blue habit with its white collar, unique cross, and oftentimes veiled, a Deaconess is a woman who has been called to lay ministry in the Church. She has been educated and trained to fulfill the duties of her vocation. She has dedicated herself to lifelong service in the Church and has been Set Apart to the Office of Deaconess by the solemn laying-on of hands by the Bishop. She has, in faith, vowed to prayerfully execute the duties of her office in obedience to her Bishop and “those over her in the Lord.” (Read more about thehistory of Deaconesses.)

Traditional Duties

To assist in the work of the Parish, Mission, or institution to which she may be appointed, under the direction of the Rector or Priest-in-charge; or, if there be none such, to perform such functions as may be directly entrusted to her by the Bishop.

Functions

• To care for the sick, the afflicted, and the poor.

• To give instruction in the Christian Faith.

• Under the Rector or the Priest-in-charge, to prepare candidates for Baptism and for Confirmation.

• To assist at the administration of Holy Baptism; and, in the absence of the Priest or Deacon, to baptize infants.

• Under the Rector or Priest-in-charge to organize, superintend, and carry out the Church’s work among women and children.

• With the approval of the Bishop and the incumbent, to read Morning and Evening Prayer (except such portions as are reserved for the Priest) and the Litany in Church or Chapel in the absence of the Minister; and when licensed by the Bishop to give instruction or deliver addresses at such services.

• To organize and carry on social work; and in colleges and schools to have a responsible part in the education of women and children, and to promote the welfare of women students.