diaconie

Diaconie is a term used in various Christian traditions to refer to the ministry of service and the charitable activities connected with that ministry. It derives from the Greek diakonia, meaning service or ministry, and appears in Latin as diaconia. In many languages the word is rendered as diakonie or diakonie and can denote both the office of the deacon and the broader practice of diaconal service.

In the Catholic Church, the diaconate is an ordained ministry and the first level of Holy Orders. Deacons assist bishops and priests in liturgical duties and pastoral work, and they engage in works of charity and social service. There are two paths: transitional deacons, who are preparing for priesthood, and permanent deacons, who may be married and devote themselves to diaconal service over a longer period. Deacons may baptize, witness marriages, proclaim the Gospel, and preside over certain rites outside Mass, as well as organize charitable activities.

In Protestant churches, the diaconate or diaconie typically refers to an office or body charged with welfare and charitable work rather than an ordained order. Diaconal councils or ministries oversee almsgiving, social services, youth and elderly care, and mission-related outreach. In German-speaking regions, the umbrella organization Diakonie is a major social-welfare network linked to Protestant churches; in the Dutch-speaking world the diaconie often denotes the local church body responsible for charitable programs.

Historically, diaconate originated as a service-oriented response to the needs of early Christian communities, positioning deacons as key agents of mercy and practical care. Today the term continues to signify both ordained service (in Catholic usage) and organized charitable action (in many Protestant and regional contexts).