4. Избрание диаконов

Among the leading Christians were Palestinian Jews and Hellenistic Jews. These latter grumbled at the Palestinian Jews because their widows allegedly received less when handing out benefits than the widows of the former. On this occasion, the apostles invited the believers to elect seven pious men so that they would be in charge of distributing offerings to those in need. The proposal was approved, seven men were chosen, and the apostles prayerfully laid hands on them and sent down the grace of the Holy Spirit. Thus, the first sacred degree arose - deacons (“deacon” means “servant”). The main duty of deacons was to manage the distribution of charitable benefits to the poor, but they were also the closest assistants to the apostles both in the work of preaching and in the performance of the sacraments. The first of the chosen ones, Archdeacon Stefan, was especially distinguished by the gift of speech and the power of miracles. You might be interested in: