Editing Deacon (section)

===Eastern Orthodoxy and Eastern Catholicism===
[[Image:Orthodox Deacon.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Greek Orthodox]] deacon in the [[Church of the Nativity]] in [[Bethlehem]], wearing an [[orarion]] over his [[sticharion]]. On his head he wears the clerical [[kamilavka]].]]
[[File:Mshamshono Evangeloyo (Syrisch-Orthodoxer Diakon).jpg|thumb|upright|[[Syrian Orthodox]] deacon with the [[Orarion]] above the [[alb]], a censer and the [[Gospel]].]]

In addition to proclaiming the [[Gospel]] and assisting in the distribution of [[Holy Communion|holy communion]], the deacon [[thurible|censes]] the [[icon]]s and people, calls the people to prayer, leads the [[ektenia|litanies]], and has a role in the dialogue of the [[Anaphora (liturgy)|anaphora]]. In keeping with Eastern tradition, the deacon is not permitted to perform any [[Sacred Mysteries|sacred mysteries]] (sacraments) on their own, except for Baptism ''[[List of Latin phrases (F–O)#I|in extremis]]'' (in danger of death), conditions under which anyone, including the laity, may baptize. When assisting at a normal baptism, it is often the deacon who goes down into the water with the one being baptized ({{bibleverse||Acts|8:38|KJV}}). In contrast to the [[Roman Catholic Church]], deacons in the Eastern Churches may not preside at the celebration of marriages, as in Eastern theology the sacrament is conferred by the nuptial blessing of a priest.

Diaconal vestments are the [[sticharion]] (alb, although it has come to resemble the western dalmatic), the [[orarion]] (deacon's stole), and the [[epimanikia]] (cuffs). The last are worn under the sticharion, not over it as does a priest or bishop. The deacon usually wears a simple orarion which is only draped over the left shoulder but, if elevated to the rank of archdeacon, the deacon wears the "doubled-orarion", meaning it is passed over the left shoulder, under the right arm, and then crossed over the left shoulder (see photograph, right). In modern Greek practice, a deacon wears this doubled orarion from the time of their ordination. Also, in the Greek practice, a deacon wears the clerical [[kamilavka]] (cylindrical head covering) with a rim at the top. In Slavic practice, a [[hierodeacon]] (monastic deacon) wears the simple black kamilavka of a monk (without the rim), but removes the monastic veil (see [[klobuk]]) when vested; a married deacon would not wear a kamilavka unless it is given to them by the bishop as an [[ecclesiastical award]]; the honorary kamilavka is purple in colour, and may be awarded to either married or monastic clergy.

As far as street clothing is concerned, immediately following ordination a deacon receives a blessing to wear the ''[[exorasson]]'' ([[Arabic]]: ''Jib'be'', [[Church Slavonic language|Slavonic]]: r''iasa''), an outer cassock with wide sleeves, in addition to the ''[[anteri]]on'' (Slavonic: podriasnik), the inner cassock worn by all orders of clergy. In the Slavic practice, married clergy may wear any of a number of colours, but most often grey, while monastic clergy always wear black. In certain jurisdictions in North America and Western Europe, a [[Roman collar]] is often worn, although this is not a traditional or widespread practice.

A ''[[protodeacon]]'' ([[Ecclesiastical Greek]]: {{lang|grc|πρωτοδιάκονος}} {{lang|grc-Latn|protodiakonos}}, "first deacon") is a distinction of honor awarded to senior deacons, usually serving on the staff of the diocesan bishop. An ''[[archdeacon]]'' is similar, but is among the monastic clergy. Protodeacons and archdeacons use a double-length orarion even if it is not the local tradition for all deacons to use it. In the Slavic tradition a deacon may be awarded the doubled-orarion even if not a protodeacon or archdeacon.

[[File:Диакон.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Painting of a [[Russian Orthodox]] deacon leading an [[ektenia]] (litany) by [[Andrei Ryabushkin]] (1888)]]

According to the practice of the Greek Orthodox Church of America, in keeping with the tradition of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the most common way to address a deacon is "Father".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goarch.org/resources/etiquette|title=Etiquette and Protocol|publisher=Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America|access-date=2009-03-21|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090402030616/http://goarch.org/resources/etiquette|archive-date=2009-04-02}}</ref> 

The tradition of kissing the hands of ordained clergy extends to the diaconate as well. This practice is rooted in the holy eucharist and is in acknowledgement and respect of the eucharistic role members of the clergy play in preparing, handling and disbursing the sacrament during the Divine Liturgy, and in building and serving the church as the Body of Christ.