Topic: Who/what is the Deacon?

[queen]

He is a part of the clergy , right?  And what is his role in the church?

I saw our Deacon the other day wearing a "collar".  Does this mean he became a priest (and I didn't know about it) or do Deacons wear "collars"?

Thanks for any help on this

[arimethea]

Here is a quick answer for you

Deacons are part of the Clergy. Their role is one of service, hence the name deacon from the Greek Diakonia.

To be honest the "collar" is a very recent addition to the garb of Orthodox Clerics. In most cases anyone from Deacon on up wears a collar, so no this doesn't mean he is now a priest.

[Fr. David]

Besides having the role of "service," he prays the litanies in many churches ("again and again in peace, etc.), and in some cases reads the Holy Gospel in Liturgy.

[queen]

Thank you both for your answers