Crossword clues for archdeacon
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Archdeacon \Arch`dea"con\, n. [AS. arcediacon, archidiacon, L.
archidiaconus, fr. Gr. ?. See Arch-, pref., and Deacon.]
In England, an ecclesiastical dignitary, next in rank below a
bishop, whom he assists, and by whom he is appointed, though
with independent authority.
--Blackstone.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
Wiktionary
n. In the Anglican and Eastern Orthodox systems, a senior administrative official in a diocese, just under the bishop, often in charge of an archdeaconry. As a title, it can be filled by either a deacon or priest.
WordNet
n. (Anglican Church) an ecclesiastical dignitary usually ranking just below a bishop
Wikipedia
An archdeacon is a senior clergy position in the Syriac Orthodox Church, Church of the East, Chaldean Catholic Church, Anglican Communion, St Thomas Christians, Eastern Orthodox churches and some other Christian denominations, above that of most clergy and below a bishop. In the High Middle Ages it was the most senior diocesan position below a bishop in the Roman Catholic Church. An archdeacon is often responsible for administration within an archdeaconry, which is the principal subdivision of the diocese. The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church has defined an archdeacon as "A cleric having a defined administrative authority delegated to him by the bishop in the whole or part of the diocese." The office has often been described metaphorically as that of oculus episcopi, the "bishop's eye".
Usage examples of "archdeacon".
Mornington saluted the Archdeacon, who took off his eyeglasses and bowed back.
When, later on, the Archdeacon arrived, Mornington greeted him with real and false warmth mingled.
However, he welcomed the Archdeacon without showing this, and settled down to chat about the book.
In the room across the corridor the Archdeacon turned over page 217 and read on.
The Archdeacon was considering that he had, in fact, never been able to find out anything about a certain rarely used chalice at Fardles.
There were, so far as the Archdeacon could see, no markings, no ornamentation, except for a single line, about half an inch below the rim.
But why, the Archdeacon asked himself, should he object to it being sold to a millionaire?
The Archdeacon went across to the mantelshelf, set down his burden, looked at it for a minute or two, murmured a prayer, and went down to lunch.
The Archdeacon, a fountain-pen in his hand, a slip of paper on his knee, looked pleasantly and inquiringly at Mr.
There had not appeared to him to be any conceivable reason why the Archdeacon should refuse to part with the old chalice, and if by any chance there had been any difficulty he had still expected to be able to obtain sight of it, to see what it looked like and where it was kept.
Before this, at about a quarter to seven, the Archdeacon was in the habit of saying Morning Prayer publicly, as he was required to do by the rubrics.
As, however, the sexton with growing frequency overslept himself, the Archdeacon preferred to keep the key of the church himself, and it was with this in his hand that he came to the west door about half-past six the next morning.
The Archdeacon stared at it, went closer and surveyed it, and then hastened into the church.
As the Archdeacon walked up to the house he allowed himself to consider the possibilities.
The man opened the gate and came into the garden, though not directly in the path to the churchyard gate, and on the sudden the Archdeacon stopped.