The Deacons
What is known from Scripture and tradition[edit | edit source]
According to historical sources, the stoning of Stephen took place shortly after Pentecost and the beginnings of the Church of Jerusalem. Saul (the future Paul), who witnesses it, is still a Pharisee in Jerusalem before becoming the fierce persecutor who leads him on the roads to Damascus. Scholars therefore date Stephen's death about 2 to 3 years after the crucifixion. His martyrdom is celebrated on December 26 by the Church.
Of the seven deacons, only three are historically well attested: Stephen, Philip, and Nicolas of Antioch whom Maria Valtorta calls Nicolaï. The other five are known only through later hagiographies (Prochorus and Timon), or even completely unknown (Nicanor and Parmenas). The Roman martyrologist mentions them all.
Although they are assigned material tasks, these deacons[3] present themselves as particularly inspired evangelizers as demonstrated by the episode of the synagogue of the Freedmen (Stephen)[4] or that of the steward of the queen of Candace (Philip)[5]. They are "men esteemed by all, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom[6]". They clearly know Scripture in both its spirit and letter.
All seven bear a Greek-origin name[7], intended to reassure "the Greek-speaking brothers" who felt "that the widows of their group were disadvantaged in daily service[8]".
Possible links with the work of Maria Valtorta[edit | edit source]
Apart from the mention of Deacon Stephen, there are no explicit mentions of the seven. However, similarities in names, profiles, and context have led the authors of the "Dictionary of Gospel Figures, Maria Valtorta" to propose that four of the seven deacons could be identified in the work[9]:
- Stephen, explicitly cited as a deacon by Maria Valtorta[2]. A "man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit," as described in the Acts of the Apostles[10], and consistent with the portrait Jesus draws of him in Maria Valtorta, and with the destiny that awaits him[11]. Although a disciple of Gamaliel, it is not Judea or Galilee he evangelizes, but the nations[12].
- Nicolas of Antioch, proselyte. The similarity of name, origin, and status argues for the merging of Maria Valtorta’s character with the deacon. He is a nazirite, comforter of Jesus[13]. Entirely devoted to his Mission[14]. Later, he was accused of founding a heretical movement mentioned in the Apocalypse, before being cleared[15].
- Philip of Arbela. Like Saul or Mary of Magdala (Magdalene), he has a strong temper and indulges in wicked ways[16] before completely changing after his encounter with Jesus. The work highlights his talents that predispose him for evangelizing activity[17] as demonstrated in the Acts of the Apostles. A man of the Decapolis (Upper Perea), he roams the neglected lands of Samaria and Phoenicia (Gaza) before settling in Caesarea, a cosmopolitan port at the borders of Galilee and Samaria. There he receives a visit from Paul[18].
- Timon of Aëra. This name is uncommon and has no biblical homonym. He is the young persecuted leader of the synagogue of the Beautiful Water. Hagiographic traditions[19] speak of him as one of the "70 Disciples", which he is in the work, and as "bishop of Bostra," which resonates with Bozrah, a place as remote as Aëra from which he originated.
In history, the specific role of the deacons was incorporated into the priesthood before becoming again a distinct ministry that has gained growing success in ancient Christian countries. According to the Church Statistics Yearbook, as of December 31, 2022, there were 50,159 deacons worldwide.[20]
Notes and references[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Acts 6:1-6. Saint Paul mentions them in his letter to the Philippians (Philippians 1:1) and to Timothy (1 Timothy 3:8-13).
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 EMV 645.
- ↑ Deacon comes from the Greek diakonos (servant) which also refers to both a high official and a domestic servant.
- ↑ Acts 6:8-11.
- ↑ Acts 8:25-40
- ↑ Acts 6:3.
- ↑ Stephen: Stephanos (Στέφανος) : "crowned" or "crown" (symbol of victory or martyrdom) | Philip: Philippos (Φίλιππος) : "lover of horses" (philos = friend, hippos = horse) | Prochorus: Prochoros (Πρόχορος) : "leader of the dance" or "choir leader" | Nicanor: Nikanor (Νικάνωρ) : "victorious" (nikê = victory, anor = man) | Timon: Timôn (Τίμων) : "one who honors" or "respectful" (timê = honor) | Parmenas: Parmenas (Παρμενᾶς) : less clear origin, possibly linked to parmenô (to persist) or a Hellenized Persian name | Nicolas: Nikolaos (Νικόλαος) : "victorious among the people" (nikê = victory, laos = people).
- ↑ Acts 6:1.
- ↑ See the respective articles in the dictionary.
- ↑ Acts 6:5.
- ↑ EMV 354
- ↑ Acts 6:8-9: "Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. Then certain members of the synagogue of the Freedmen, Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and the province of Asia arose and argued with Stephen."
- ↑ EMV 638
- ↑ EMV 355
- ↑ From the 2nd century, Irenaeus (Against Heresies I. 26.3 and III. 11.1) attributes to the "Nicolaitans", a group mentioned in Revelation (2:6, 15), an origin in Nicolas of Antioch, accusing them of "debauchery". However, somewhat later, Clement of Alexandria (c. 150-215) rejects this accusation, arguing that the doctrine of promiscuity attributed to the Nicolaitans results from a misunderstanding or distortion of innocent words.
- ↑ EMV 122.13: "I have a son with a sick heart. If he had heard you when you spoke of parents! That is my torment. He has gone astray with bad companions and he is... he is exactly as you say... a thief... in the house for now, but... he loves fights... he wants to dominate... Young as he is, he ruins himself in lust and revelry."
- ↑ EMV 292.4: "How do you know me?" - "Through a boy. A rascal who made a name for himself in Bozrah and Arbel. Here because he came to fulfill his sins, there because he dishonored his Family. And then he converted. He became more honest than a just man and now he has joined your Disciples, a disciple himself, and he awaits you in Arbel to honor you with his father and mother. And he tells everyone that you changed his heart at his mother's prayer. Philip son of Jacob, if this region ever becomes holy, he will have the merit of having sanctified it. And if there is anyone in Bozrah who believes in You, it is thanks to him."
- ↑ Acts 21:8.
- ↑ List attributed to Hippolytus of Rome | List attributed to Dorotheus of Tyre | Pseudo-Epiphanius.
- ↑ See Fides Agency - Statistics of the Catholic Church 2024.