diakonissa

Diakonissa is the feminine form of the Greek word diakonos, meaning servant or minister. In Christian usage, diakonissa denotes a female deacon or deaconess. The term is used in various traditions to refer to women who fulfill a diaconal role, whether historically or in contemporary practice.

Historically, diakonisses appeared in the early Christian Church as women appointed to assist bishops and priests, particularly in duties involving women and the baptism of other women, care for the poor and sick, and participation in certain liturgical functions. Their status and powers varied by region and period. Over time, the formal institution of female deacons diminished in many places, and by late antiquity a uniform pattern of ordination as deaconesses did not persist across all communities.

In modern usage, the status of the diakonissa differs by denomination. Some Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox churches retain a term diakonissa and may recognize a female diaconate in certain jurisdictions, though practices and ordination vary and are often debated. In many Protestant traditions, including Anglican and Lutheran churches, women serve as deacons, with the term deacon typically used instead of deaconess. The Roman Catholic Church does not ordain women to the diaconate and does not officially employ the title diakonissa; however, discussions about the diaconate for women have occurred in contemporary theological contexts.

See also: Deacon, Deaconess, Diaconate.