Definition
The state, condition, or status of being a deacon.
Etymology
From 'deacon' combined with the suffix '-hood' (like childhood, priesthood). The '-hood' suffix in English creates abstract nouns describing a state or condition of life.
Kelly Says
Deaconhood combines the humility of service—'deacon' originally meant 'servant'—with formal church authority, making it a fascinating contradiction built into the very name of the position.
Translations
ARالعربية
الdiaconship
al-dee-ah-koh-n-ship
BNবাংলা
দিয়াকন
dee-ah-kon
CACatalà
diaconship
dee-ah-koh-n-ship
CSČeština
diakonie
dee-ah-koh-nee-eh
DADansk
diakonat
dee-ah-koh-nahht
DEDeutsch
Diakonat
dee-ah-koh-nahht
ELΕλληνικά
διάκονος
dee-ah-koh-nos
ESEspañol
sacerdote
sah-seh-rah-teh
FAفارسی
دياکون
dee-ah-kon
FISuomi
diakonat
dee-ah-koh-nahht
FRFrançais
diaconat
dee-ah-koh-nah
HEעברית
מנהיג דיאקון
me-nah-eeg dee-ah-kon
HIहिन्दी
दीयाकनत्व
dee-ya-kan-tv
HUMagyar
diakónia
dee-ah-koh-nee-ah
IDBahasa Indonesia
deaconate
dee-ah-koh-nayt
ITItaliano
diaconship
dee-ah-koh-nah-ship
KO한국어
로마 가톨릭 교회의 사제
ro-ma ga-tol-lik gyo-hoe-ui sa-je
MSBahasa Melayu
diaken
dee-ah-ken
MYမြန်မာ
deacon
dee-ak-on
NLNederlands
diaken
dee-ah-ken
NONorsk
diakonat
dee-ah-koh-nahht
PLPolski
diakonia
dee-ah-koh-nee-ah
PTPortuguês
diaconado
dee-ah-koh-nah-doh
RORomână
diacona
dee-ah-koh-nah
RUРусский
диаконство
dee-ah-kon-st-vo
SVSvenska
diakonat
dee-ah-koh-nahht
SWKiswahili
diakoni
dee-ah-koh-nee
TAதமிழ்
பணியாளர்
pa-ni-ya-la-r
TEతెలుగు
డియకాన్
dee-yah-kan
THไทย
ตำแหน่งผู้ช่วยเจ้าหน้าที่
tamm-aen-ng poo-chue-jao-na-thee
TRTürkçe
diyakonluk
dee-ah-koh-nluk
UKУкраїнська
дияконство
dee-ah-kon-st-vo
URاردو
diaconship
dee-ah-koh-n-ship
VITiếng Việt
đức độ mục sư
dzuhk do mu-c-su
ZH中文
执事职位
zhí shì zhí wèi
Ethical Language Guidance
Gender History
Deaconhood compounds the male-default history of 'deacon.' The -hood suffix emphasizes a singular masculine identity, historically excluding women even as they performed diaconal duties.
Inclusive Usage
Substitute 'diaconal service,' 'deaconal ministry,' or 'the office of deacon' to describe the role without gendered suffix bias.
Inclusive Alternatives
["diaconal ministry","deaconal office","diaconal service"]
Empowerment Note
Women entering deaconhood have faced terminology that erased their presence. Using gender-neutral language affirms that deaconhood is equally accessed and practiced by all genders.