Rights and Duties of the Deaconesses of the Armenian Apostolic Church. A Historical and Legal Perspective of the 17th to the 21st Century
Rights and Duties of the Deaconesses of the Armenian Apostolic Church. A Historical and Legal Perspective of the 17th to the 21st Century

Summary/Abstract: Deaconesses have been developing autonomously from the male diaconate in the Armenian Apostolic Church from the 9th to the 21st century. The duties of deaconesses are limited to assisting in the Liturgy of the Hours in the convent, assisting the presbyter at baptism, proclaiming the Gospel, directing church singing, carrying the chalice during the Grand Entrance in the Divine Liturgy, raising the chalice with the celebrant during the Divine Liturgy, and using incense during the liturgy. Deaconesses have been associated with parish ministry since the 20th century. The renewal of deaconesses could contribute to the revival of Armenian monasticism and parish ministry, as well as emphasizing the value of the “feminine element” in the Armenian Apostolic Church.

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