(in the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Orthodox Churches) a religious leader just below the rank of a priest （天主教、圣公会和东正教会的）执事，会吏 (in some Nonconformist Churches) a person who is not a member of the clergy, but who helps a minister with church business affairs （某些不信奉英国国教的教会中协助管理教会事务的）助祭
Word OriginOld English diacon, via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek diakonos ‘servant’ (in ecclesiastical Greek ‘Christian minister’).