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Most consider the diaconate to have originated with the setting apart of seven men to help distribute relief to the poor in the early church. These men included Stephen, the first martyr of the early church. The word deacon comes from the Greek diakonos , or servant. Some of the earliest deacons were the owners of the homes where the church groups met.
As organization solidified in the early church, the diaconate became the least of three tiers of ministry: bishops, priests, and deacons. Actually, the deacons were least only in the sense that they were able to perform the fewest ordinances. They often served as the administrators of church property. As such, they gained some measure of influence and were often preferred to priests in filling vacant bishoprics. A backlash against them occurred during the early Middle Ages, and their role in the church was greatly diminished. In the Anglican, Episcopal, and Roman Catholic churches, the diaconate became sort of an internship for priests. This has begun to change, however, with the diaconate being recognized again as a lifetime vocation.
In the early church, there were also deaconesses. These women performed the usual functions of assisting the poor and attending the sick. Their main purpose, however, seemed to be in performing the baptism of other women. The office of deaconess lapsed during the Middle Ages, but was revived in Germany in 1836. Other denominations reinstituted the office during the late 1800's. In fact, some orders of deaconesses are independent of any denomination.
The development of current roles filled by deacons is discussed in the section on "Duties".