The rank of deacon in the Christian Church was established by the apostles, who proposed to elect seven people "of renown, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom" to serve the meal in the Jerusalem community. The elect were set before the apostles, and they, "having prayed, laid their hands on them" (Acts 6:1-6). Thus

- through election, ordination before the Apostles, prayer and ordination from the Holy Apostles - the first deacons were consecrated.

Since the time of the Holy Apostles, the deaconate has been continuously preserved in the Orthodox Church as the lowest degree of the priesthood.

In accordance with their initial election to "serve the meals," it is the duty of the deacons to assist the presbyter and bishop in the divine services, in the administration of the flock and its edification. In the Apostolic Decrees it is said: "Let the deacon be in mind, eye, mouth, heart and soul an angel and prophet of the bishop and presbyter." For this reason, deacons, according to the Apostolic Tradition, are, as it were, "ministering spirits, sent to serve for those who have to inherit salvation" (Heb. 1:14). In accordance with this appointment of the deacon, it is indicated that during divine services, as well as outside of divine services, the deacon does not bless, but receives a blessing from the bishop and the prosbyter" (Lent Apostolic, canon 7 of the Sixth Ecumenical Council).

In ancient times, the range of duties of a deacon included, in addition to those listed above, also caring for the poor; the deacons were to deliver the Eucharist to the sick and to those Christians who could not come to the service, and to perform other official functions on behalf of the bishop. Like the first deacons Stephen and Philip (Acts 7, 8, 5, 12, 34-40), deacons in subsequent centuries preached the word of God in divine services. This is what St. John Chrysostom, St. Ephraim the Syrian, and St. Gregory the Great did when they were deacons. Sometimes deacons were confidants of the patriarch or metropolitan in certain matters: for example, St. Athanasius of Alexandria in the rank of deacon was at the First Ecumenical Council, and instead of the holy bishop, on his behalf, he denounced and condemned Arius. Sometimes deacons were instructed to supervise the safety of church property, to test the behavior of persons wishing to become ministers of the Church, and also to take care of widows and orphans (St. Vas. Vel., p. 89).

According to the customs of the ancient Church, ordination to the deacon is performed after a preliminary trial of the person to be consecrated, the cleansing of sins by prayer, fasting and repentance, provided that he enters into a Christian marriage once.

2. Scheme of the rite of ordination to the diaconate

Exclamation: "Command..., command..., command, Your Grace Vladyka" Bishop's blessing Threefold procession around the altar Singing of troparia

Bending the right knee before the holy altar Placing the edge of the omophorion on the head of the person to be consecrated Bishop's blessing Laying on the bishop's hand on the head of the consecrated Mystery prayer: "Divine grace..."

"Kyrie eleison"

Two Prayers The Litany of Peace The Loosening of the Girdle Shouts: "Axios"

Laying on the orarion and putting on the handrails Handing over the ripida Kissing with the deacons Communion of the Holy Mysteries Litany: "Forgive me, having received..."