a Protestant layman who assists the minister
"After years of serving as a deacon, he finally retired from his role assisting the minister at Sunday services."
a cleric ranking just below a priest in Christian churches; one of the Holy Orders
"The new deacon assisted the priest during the morning mass, helping to distribute communion and read the Gospel."
A designated minister of charity in the early Church (see Acts 6:1-6).
"After reading about the seven men chosen to oversee daily food distribution, I realized they were serving as deacons in the way described by Paul."
For a choir leader to lead a hymn by speaking one or two lines at a time, which are then sung by the choir.
"The deacon stood before the congregation and sang just the first verse of the hymn for them to follow along."
A surname, from occupations.
"After years of working as a deacon in the family business, he finally retired to pursue his passion for painting."