Deacons

The first rank or order of the Ministry to which people are ordained is that of Deacon.  The very first deacons were ordained by the Apostles in Jerusalem.  Among the Christians were a number of poor widows who were supported by the gifts of the rest.  After a time the Apostles found that they could not do everything, and some of the widows were not getting their share in the daily distribution of food.  So the Apostles called a meeting and said it was not right that they should neglect teaching the word of God in order to distribute the food.  So seven deacons were chosen to see that the widows were properly looked after.  The Apostles ordained the deacons by laying their hands on their heads with prayer (Acts 6: 1-6).  Besides looking after the widows, some of these deacons also helped by baptising and preaching.  The most famous of them was Stephen, the first martyr, who was stoned to death for the Faith.  Later, as the Church spread, so the Apostles ordained more deacons to help in each place.

In order to become a deacon in the Church of England you need to fulfil certain selection criteria (1) and successfully complete a theological training course. (2)

Ordination

The Sacrament of Holy Order is administered during the Eucharist.

In Common Worship the Liturgy of Ordination comes after the Creed.  At the actual time of ordination the candidates, or ordinands as we call them, kneel before the bishop who lays hands on the head of each one and says:

“Send down the Holy Spirit on your servant N
for the office and work of a deacon in your Church”. (3)

In the Prayer Book, the words are, “Take thou authority to execute the office of a Deacon in the Church of God committed unto thee; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen”. (4)