Hierodeacon

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In Eastern Orthodox Christianity, a Hierodeacon (Greek: Ηεροδιάκονος, Ierodiákonos; Slavonic: Ierodiakón), sometimes translated "deacon-monk" is a monk who has been ordained a deacon. The term literally translates as "sacred-deacon". in accordance with a generally archaic, early Byzantine usage of the adjective “sacred” to describe things monastic; much confusion has been noted because of the parallel, or rather lack thereof, to the term hieromonk.

Normally, to be eligible for ordination to the diaconate, a man must be either married or he must be tonsured a monk. If he has his bishop's permission, he may delay his marriage until after being ordained a deacon. He may also delay his ordination to the priesthood until after he marries, since after priestly ordination he would not be permitted to marry.

In the Church hierarchy, a hierodeacon or a secular (i.e., married) deacon is of lower dignity than a priest (either married or monastic). Within their own ranks, hierodeacons are assigned order of precedence according to the date of their ordination. Ranking above Hierodeacon is an Archdeacon or Protodeacon.

In some countries, married clergy are referred to as "white clergy" while monastic clergy are called "black clergy" because monks should always wear black clothing but married clergy in many parts of the world typically wear white (or gray or colored) cassocks and rasons.

The proper title for a Hierodeacon is, "the Reverend Hierodeacon (name)." The proper form of address would be, "Hierodeacon (name)", "Father Hierodeacon (name)", or "Father Hierodeacon."