as in priests
a person specially trained and authorized to conduct religious services in a Christian church
my cousin was married by his uncle, who is also a deacon in his church
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deacons
Her parents, Baptist deacons who ultimately left the church over its refusal to ordain women, raised their children to wrestle with such questions.
—
Pamela Colloff,
ProPublica,
30 June 2026
While women cannot be ordained as priests or deacons, they are not forbidden from teaching the faith as theologians, catechists and scholars.
—
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
At the 1978 Lambeth Conference, Nigerian leadership opposed the recommendation to allow the ordination of women as deacons and priests, though the proposal sparked debate within the church.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
31 Mar. 2026
Two thousand people are expected to attend, including numerous religious figures such as bishops, priests and deacons.
—
Alexa Herrera,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
Early Christians cited menstruation as the reason for not allowing female deacons or priests.
—
Megan Bryson,
The Conversation,
5 Feb. 2026
Powell’s lawyers also introduced documentation that Lorch, who began coaching the Hawks in 1961, served on Riverside’s board of deacons and board of trustees, as well as several church committees, and that the Hawks’ basketball success was touted multiple times in Riverside’s official newsletter.
—
Luke Cyphers,
Sportico.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Last December, they were ordained to be transitional deacons by Cardinal Robert McElroy, who was then head of the San Diego diocese and is both a controversial and consequential figure in the Catholic church.
—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Dec. 2025
As eight priests, two deacons and the Milwaukee archbishop celebrated Mass at the altar, Grunwaldt skirted the back, quietly keeping the operation running.
—
Sophie Carson,
jsonline.com,
26 Nov. 2025
Pamela Colloff,
ProPublica,
30 June 2026
While women cannot be ordained as priests or deacons, they are not forbidden from teaching the faith as theologians, catechists and scholars.
—
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
At the 1978 Lambeth Conference, Nigerian leadership opposed the recommendation to allow the ordination of women as deacons and priests, though the proposal sparked debate within the church.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
31 Mar. 2026
Two thousand people are expected to attend, including numerous religious figures such as bishops, priests and deacons.
—
Alexa Herrera,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
Early Christians cited menstruation as the reason for not allowing female deacons or priests.
—
Megan Bryson,
The Conversation,
5 Feb. 2026
Powell’s lawyers also introduced documentation that Lorch, who began coaching the Hawks in 1961, served on Riverside’s board of deacons and board of trustees, as well as several church committees, and that the Hawks’ basketball success was touted multiple times in Riverside’s official newsletter.
—
Luke Cyphers,
Sportico.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Last December, they were ordained to be transitional deacons by Cardinal Robert McElroy, who was then head of the San Diego diocese and is both a controversial and consequential figure in the Catholic church.
—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Dec. 2025
As eight priests, two deacons and the Milwaukee archbishop celebrated Mass at the altar, Grunwaldt skirted the back, quietly keeping the operation running.
—
Sophie Carson,
jsonline.com,
26 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deacons
Noun
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In places such as Taiwan, Daoist priests can be seen today conducting rituals at community temples and annual festivals.
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Without bishops, De Piante said, the SSPX would eventually have no priests to celebrate Mass, hear confessions or administer the sacraments that members believe are central to their spiritual lives.
Noun
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On June 27, 2026, at Trinity Pride Fest in Fort Worth, Texas, street preachers Richard Penkoski and David Grisham were subjected to multiple violations of their First Amendment rights while attempting to preach on public property.
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Son of a Preacherman, Choi's latest work, is an autobiographical look at the writer's upbringing in a family of preachers.
Cite this Entry
“Deacons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deacons. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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