On the Importance of the Diaconate Ministry
in the Ukrainian Catholic Church and in St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Every ministry in the Church is unique and unrepeatable, because every gift and vocation comes from the same Holy Spirit, who distributes them “to each one as he wills” (1 Cor. 12:11). From the very beginning of His earthly ministry, the Lord Jesus Christ called disciples to Himself, but He did not give all of them the same task or ministry. From among them, He chose the Twelve in a particular way (cf. Lk. 6:13), and later sent out seventy others (cf. Lk. 10:1).
Already in this we see that the Church contains a diversity of vocations, ministries, and responsibilities, which nevertheless have one purpose: to build up the Body of Christ and to serve God’s people.
The Apostle Paul speaks of this in these words: “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit; there are different kinds of service, but the same Lord; there are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all people” (1 Cor. 12:4–6). From the earliest days of her existence, the Church has developed various ministries and ecclesial orders through which Christ continues to carry out His mission among God’s people.
A particular witness to this is found in the sixth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles. When a need arose within the first Christian community for a particular ministry, the apostles chose seven men “known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom” (Acts 6:3) and appointed them to serve the community. Among them was Saint Stephen, the first martyr of Christ’s Church.
The Church has traditionally connected this biblical passage with the historical development of the diaconal ministry. From the beginning, this ministry was associated not only with liturgical life, but also with concrete care for people, service to those in need, and strengthening the unity of the Christian community.
Christ Himself says: “I am among you as one who serves” (Lk. 22:27). Therefore, the deacon is called to be a particular living image of Christ the Servant. Through the Sacrament of Holy Orders, he receives the grace and commission to serve God’s people in the Liturgy, in proclaiming the Word of God, and in works of love and mercy.
The Diaconate—A Distinct Ecclesial Vocation
The diaconate is a full, distinct, and exceptionally important ecclesial vocation. It has deep biblical roots and is the first degree of the Sacrament of Holy Orders, which has three degrees: the diaconate, the presbyterate, and the episcopate.
Throughout the history of the Church, the diaconate has taken different forms in various local Churches. In the Ukrainian Catholic Church, we have a rich tradition of diaconal ministry that cannot be reduced merely to a brief transitional stage before priestly ordination.
Especially today, when our parishes and communities have diverse pastoral needs, it is important to renew and deepen our understanding of the diaconate as a distinct ecclesial vocation to serve Christ and His Church.
The Deacon—Minister of the Liturgy and the Word of God
The deacon has a particular and irreplaceable place in the liturgical life of the Church. During the Divine Liturgy, he proclaims the Gospel, intones the ektenias, censes, calls the community to prayer, and assists the priest in the celebration of the divine services.
In the Byzantine tradition, the deacon has a particular role in coordinating the prayer of the entire community. Through his ministry, the needs of the Church, the world, and the particular human community are brought before the Lord.
Therefore, the deacon is not simply an “assistant to the priest.” He has his own ministry and his own liturgical mission. His service helps reveal more fully the beauty and theological richness of our Eastern liturgical tradition.
Especially valuable is the ministry of a deacon who remains for many years in one parish. Over time, he can become a living bearer of liturgical tradition, the spiritual memory of the community, and a source of stability within the parish.
The Deacon—Minister to God’s People
Yet the deacon’s ministry is not limited to the church building.
The deacon is called to be present among people and to serve wherever a person particularly needs support: among the poor, the sick, the lonely, the elderly, newcomers, families in crisis, and all those experiencing difficult circumstances in life.
For this reason, the diaconal ministry has particular pastoral significance. A deacon can visit the sick, assist with catechesis, participate in charitable activities, support young people and families, serve in hospital chaplaincy, and be present in those areas of life where the Church must stand alongside people.
For our Eparchy of Saint Nicholas, this has particular importance. Our eparchy encompasses a vast territory of the United States, and our parishes and communities have diverse needs. A deacon can become an important link between the priest and the faithful, helping to build parish unity and making the presence of the Church visible in people’s daily lives.
As a member of the pastoral team, the deacon can uniquely unite liturgical ministry, pastoral presence, and works of mercy.
The Vocation and Formation of the Deacon
The diaconate is, above all, a vocation. A person does not appoint himself to this ministry; rather, he is called to discern God’s invitation and respond to it.
Therefore, a candidate for the diaconate needs serious spiritual, theological, liturgical, and human formation. He must deepen his knowledge of Sacred Scripture, theology, and Church history; know well the liturgical tradition of the Eastern Church; understand his ministry; and be able to communicate God’s love to others.
In our Eparchy, we seek to provide opportunities for such formation, particularly through the Mission Institute and other formation programs.
For a married candidate, the support of his wife and family is especially important. Diaconal ministry must not become a cause for neglecting marital or parental responsibilities. On the contrary, the deacon’s family is called to discern and support this vocation together with him. In a certain sense, the diaconal ministry becomes a shared witness of the entire family.
The Diaconate and Professional Life
One of the particular features of the permanent diaconate is the possibility of combining ecclesial ministry with professional work.
Deacons may work in education, medicine, business, public service, social services, military or hospital chaplaincy, and many other professions. Such a presence in the world does not contradict their ecclesial vocation.
On the contrary, it can be a great advantage. A deacon who lives and works among people every day knows their struggles, joys, and challenges. He brings this experience into the life of the Church while, at the same time, bringing Christ’s presence into the environment in which he works and lives.
In this way, a deacon can remain professionally and financially self-sufficient, support his family, and at the same time generously offer his gifts and time in service to God’s people.
“A Deacon in Every Parish”
For the Eparchy of Saint Nicholas, the development of the permanent diaconate is an important pastoral priority.
We seek to embrace the vision: “A Deacon in Every Parish.”
This is not simply an administrative goal. It is our desire that every ecclesial community have a man who is specially called and formed to serve the Liturgy, the Word of God, and the ministry of love.
When a deacon regularly serves at the Divine Liturgy, assists with catechesis, visits the sick, supports families, participates in charitable activities, and collaborates with the priest as a member of the pastoral team, the parish receives an additional source of spiritual support.
The presence of a deacon can help our communities become stronger, more vibrant, and more missionary.
A Call to Discern Your Vocation
Dear Brothers and Sisters!
Today I wish to address in a particular way the men of our parishes.
Perhaps the Lord is calling one of you to the diaconal ministry. Perhaps this thought has arisen in your heart more than once, but you did not know what to do with it. Perhaps a relative, friend, or priest once said to you, “You could be a good deacon.”
Do not be afraid to discern this call.
If you feel a desire to serve God and His people, if you have a love for the Church, the Liturgy, and the Word of God, speak with your pastor or with the eparchial authorities. A vocation requires time, prayer, spiritual accompaniment, and discernment. Not everyone who feels a desire to serve is necessarily called to the diaconate, but every sincere desire to serve God deserves to be taken seriously and prayerfully discerned.
The Church needs deacons. Our parishes need deacons. Our families, young people, elderly people, the sick, and those experiencing hardship need people who are willing to be present and to serve.
Therefore, let us pray that the Lord will call new deacons to His Church and give them the courage to respond to His voice. May each of our parishes become a place where diverse ecclesial vocations are discerned, supported, and nurtured.
And may Christ’s Church, through the ministry of our deacons, reveal ever more clearly to the world the One who said: “I am among you as one who serves” (Lk. 22:27).
May the Lord bless all who serve Him in His Church, and especially those men whom He is calling to the diaconal ministry.
May the blessing of the Lord be upon you!
Benedict
Bishop of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy