Deaconesses in the Syro-Jacobite and Nestorian churches

The ministry of deaconesses was widespread not only in the Christian communities of the Catholic Church, but also in the Churches of the Syrian-Jacobite and Nestorian traditions. It is known about them thanks to the scattered testimonies of non-Chalcedonian hierarchs, canonists and theologians of a fairly late time. Deaconesses in the Syrian communities were chosen from among elderly virgins over 60 years, following Apostle Paul’s injunction to widows (1 Timothy 5:3-16), known for their abstinent life. They were called the “daughters of the covenant” and helped the elders when baptizing adult women. They anointed them with oil, instructed them in the faith, visited and anointed sick women with oil, could enter the altar, clean it, take the reserved Holy Gifts and distribute communion to children in the absence of the priest. They wore the deacon’s orarion, but did not touch the Altar Table and chalice. The consecration of deaconesses was an episcopal blessing outside the altar and was not an ordination (consecration). With the end of the baptism of adult women, deaconesses ceased to exist: this name could be worn by pious, authoritative nuns. The non-Chalcedonian tradition dates back to the earlier life of the undivided Christian communities and had much in common with it. In the Catholic Church, the deaconess’ ministry outwardly began to draw closer to the deacon’s, while the participation of women in the Syrian church services was expressed only in the development of female monastic reading at divine services and singing with texts that reflected the role of holy women in the life of the Church.