An archdeacon is a senior clergy position in Anglicanism, Chaldean Catholic, Syrian Malabar Nasrani, and some other Christian denominations, above that of most clergy and below a bishop. In the High Middle Ages it was the most senior diocesan position below a bishop in the Roman Catholic Church. An archdeacon is often responsible for administration within an archdeaconry, which is the principal subdivision of the diocese. "A cleric having a defined administrative authority delegated to him by the bishop in the whole or part of the diocese."--The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church; edited by F. L. Cross (London: Oxford University Press, 1957; p. 79) The office has often been described metaphorically as that of oculus episcopi, the bishop's eye.
Read more about Archdeacon: Catholic Church, Anglican Communion, Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches, Saint Thomas Christians
Famous quotes containing the word archdeacon:
“This was a great point gained; the archdeacon would certainly not come to morning service at Westminster Abbey, even though he were in London; and here the warden could rest quietly, and, when the time came, duly say his prayers.”
—Anthony Trollope (1815–1882)