subdeacon

American  

[suhb-dee-kuhn, suhb-dee-] / sʌbˈdi kən, ˈsʌbˌdi- /

noun

1. a member of the clerical order next below that of deacon.

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subdeacon British  

/ sʌbˈdiːkənɪt, ˌsʌbˈdiːkən /

noun

1. a cleric who assists at High Mass

2. (formerly) a person ordained to the lowest of the major orders

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Other Word Forms

• subdeaconate noun

Etymology

Origin of subdeacon

1275–1325; Middle English subdecon, -dekene < Late Latin subdiāconus. See sub-, deacon

Example Sentences

His remarks to Nettavisen were jarring to many, who found them sharply contrasting with Gushchin’s position as a subdeacon in the Russian Orthodox Church.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 14, 2022

Then, in 1478, he was appointed as a subdeacon, a post two orders lower than a priest, likely in Durham, a city in the north of England.

From Time • Aug. 2, 2016

The celebrant passed in a rich red damask chasuble, followed by a deacon and a subdeacon in dalmatic and tunic.

From Time Magazine Archive

Then followed the kiss of peace received from the celebrant by the Bishop's chaplain and by him transmitted to the Bishop, subdeacon and all other priests.

From Time Magazine Archive

After being ordained subdeacon, he went to Rome and became a Jesuit in 1573, spending some years at Br�nn, Vienna and Prague.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 2 "Camorra" to "Cape Colony" by Various