Women deacons in the early church
Early Christian writings do mention women deacons, usually as deaconesses with a limited role. Clement of Alexandria and the Apostolic Constitutions are the clearest witnesses here. The same writings also say a deaconess did not do the work of presbyters or deacons in the full sense, so the role was real but distinct.
115 early-church witnesses · 203 source quotations · compared with Scripture
What did early Christians believe about women deacons?
Early Christian writings do support women deaconesses, but they also limit what those women could do. Clement of Alexandria and the Apostolic Constitutions mention women deacons or deaconesses, and the Apostolic Constitutions says a deaconess was for ministry to women and was not to bless or do the work of presbyters or deacons. A few early writers also refer to deaconesses in church order lists, which shows the role was known by the 3rd century.
At the same time, the strongest passages point to a distinct female office with limited duties, so the evidence is mixed on whether this was the same as male deacons or a separate ministry. Many more early Christian quotations, Bible passages, and source links are gathered below so you can study the evidence for yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Early Christians did have deaconesses, but often as a separate role from male deacons.
- The clearest duties were helping with women, especially in baptisms and modesty-related ministry.
- The strongest evidence comes from Clement of Alexandria and the Apostolic Constitutions.
- Some passages show church order lists that include deaconesses, but they do not always explain the office in detail.
Questions Answered by the Sources
Did early Christians mention women deacons or deaconesses?
Several early Christian sources explicitly mention deaconesses or women deacons. Clement of Alexandria refers to women deacons, Ignatius greets deaconesses, and the Apostolic Constitutions include deaconesses among church orders.
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Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness
...ted themselves to the ministry that could not be separated from their preaching. That is, they took women along not as wives, but as sisters, so that these women might minister among women who stayed at home. Through them, the Lord's teaching could enter the women's quarters without any blame or evil suspicion. For we know what the most excellent Paul teaches in the other letter to Timothy about women deacons. Yet this very same man cried out: "The kingdom of God is not food and drink," nor indeed abstinence from wine and meats, "but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." Romans 14:17 Which of them, wearing a sheepskin and girded with a leather belt, goes about like Elijah? Who wears sackcloth, with the rest of the body bare and barefoot, like Isaiah? Or who has only a linen loincloth, like Jeremiah? And who will imitate the gnostic way of life of John? Yet even while living like this, the blessed prophets gave thanks to the Creator. But the justice of Carpocrates, and of those who, like him, pursue shameless sharing, is overturned in this way. For as soon as He says, "Give to him who asks you," He adds, "and from him who wants to borrow from you, do not turn away.
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Ignatius, Epistles of Ignatius Supporting witness
...oorkeepers, the laborers, the exorcists, the confessors. I greet the keepers of the holy gates, the deaconesses in Christ. I greet the virgins betrothed to Christ, of whom may I have joy in the Lord Jesus. I greet the people of the Lord, from the smallest to the greatest, and all my sisters in the Lord.
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Ignatius, Epistles of Ignatius Supporting witness
I salute the keepers of the holy gates, the deaconesses in Christ.
What did early Christians say deaconesses did?
The clearest descriptions give deaconesses a limited, practical ministry: serving women, keeping doors, and assisting presbyters with the baptism of women for decency. The sources do not present them as performing the full office of presbyters or male deacons.
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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching
Ordain also a deaconess who is faithful and holy, for the ministrations towards women.
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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness
But as much as is given to every one of the elder women, let double so much be given to the deacons, in honour of Christ.
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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness
and then of the women, the deaconesses, and the virgins, and the widows;
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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness
Let the deaconesses also stand at those of the women, like shipmen.
More related quotations from this section 1 shown
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Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus) Background
Innumerable commands such as these are written in the holy Bible appertaining to chosen persons, some to presbyters, some to bishops, some to deacons, others to widows, of whom we shall have another opportunity of speaking.
Common Questions
Did the early church have women deacons?
Yes, some early Christian writings mention deaconesses. The clearest texts treat them as a real church role, but usually with limited duties.
Were women deacons the same as male deacons?
Not in the clearest early texts. The Apostolic Constitutions says a deaconess did not do the work of presbyters or deacons, but served in ministry to women.
What did deaconesses do in the early church?
They helped in ministry to women, especially in baptizing women and keeping order among women in church gatherings.
Source Index for Women deacons
The guided sections above show the strongest quotations. This compact index highlights 160 ranked source links from 203 compiled sources for deeper study.
Source index 160 ranked links shown
Early Christian Writings 80 shown of 115
Primary-source quotations from early Christian writers and church documents.
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Unknown, Unknown Work
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Unknown, Unknown Work
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Unknown, Unknown Work
Bible Passages 80 shown of 88
Related Bible passages saved for comparison with the early Christian quotations.
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Book 79 1:26
