archdeacon

Originally an ordained dignitary of the Christian church charged with the supervision of the deacons attached to a cathedral. Today in the Roman Catholic Church the office is purely titular; in the Anglican Church an archdeacon, directly subordinate to the bishop, still has many business duties, such as the periodic inspection of churches. The office is not found in other Protestant churches.

In the 5th century archdeacons rose from being mere bishops' assistants, and took upon themselves some of a bishop's powers and privileges. Gradually they acquired a recognized position apart from the bishop, and claimed a jurisdiction to themselves. In the 13th century protests from several synods were successful in securing a curtailment of their powers by episcopal courts.