Editing Archdeacon (section)

==Catholic Church==
{{Catholic Church Hierarchy}}
{{See also|Catholic Church hierarchy}}
In the Latin [[Catholic Church]], the post of archdeacon, originally an ordained deacon (rather than a priest), was once one of great importance as a senior official of a diocese. The duties are now performed by officials such as auxiliary or coadjutor bishops, the [[vicar general]], and the [[episcopal vicar]]s. The title remains.

===History===
The term "archdeacon" appears for the first time in [[Optatus of Mileve]]'s history of [[Donatism]] of about 370, in which he applies it to someone who lived at the beginning of that century. From the office of the ''diaconus episcopi'', a deacon whom the bishop selected to administer the church's finances under the bishop's personal direction, the office of archdeacon gradually developed, as certain functions were reserved to him by law. These functions included not only financial administration but also the discipline of the clergy, and examination of candidates for priesthood. From the 8th century, there was in the West a further development of the authority of the archdeacon, who now enjoyed a jurisdiction independent of the bishop.

Large dioceses had several archdeaconries, in each of which the archdeacon (usually by now a priest), had an authority comparable to that of the bishop. He was often appointed not by the bishop but by the [[cathedral chapter]] or the king. However, from the 13th century, efforts were made to limit their authority. This was effected in part by the institution of the new office of vicar general. In 1553, the [[Council of Trent]] removed entirely the independent powers of archdeacons. Those who had been in charge of different parts of the diocese gradually ceased to be appointed. Only the archdeacon associated with the cathedral chapter continued to exist as an empty title, with duties almost entirely limited to liturgical functions.<ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01693a.htm Johann Peter Kirsch, "Archdeacon"] in ''[[Catholic Encyclopedia]]'' (New York 1907)</ref><ref>[http://www.theodora.com/encyclopedia/a2/archdeacon.html "Archdeacon" in ''Encyclopædia Britannica'' 1911]</ref>

The title of archdeacon is still conferred on a [[canon (priest)|canon]] of various cathedral chapters,<ref>[http://www.limerickdioceseheritage.org/Diocese/Chapter.htm Diocese of Limerick: Chapter of Limerick]</ref> and the word "archdeacon" has been defined in relation to the Latin Catholic Church as "a title of honour conferred only on a member of a cathedral chapter".<ref>[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/archdeacon Dictionary.com, based on Random House Dictionary]</ref>

However, [[Archdeacon#Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic churches|Eastern Catholic Churches still utilize archdeacons]].

====Archdeacon of Rome====
When [[Sixtus II|Sixtus]] became Pope in 257, he ordained as [[deacon]] the young [[Saint Lawrence|Lawrence]] who was only 32, the first among the seven deacons who served in the [[cathedral church]]. 

Later, Sixtus appointed Lawrence as ''Archdeacon of Rome'', the first among the seven deacons who served in the cathedral church.