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Archdeacon

Defined in 6 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910), Kinney (1893), Stimson (1881)

The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary

Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922

In ecclesiastical law. A ministerial officer subordinate to the bishop. In the primitive church, the archdeacons were employed by the bishop in the more servile duties of collecting and distributing alms and offerings. Afterwards they became, in effect, "eyes to the overseers of the church." Cowell. His jurisdiction is ecclesiastical, and immediately subordinate to that of the bishop, throughout the whole or a part of the diocese. He is a ministerial officer. 1 Sharswood, Bl. Comm. 383..

Ballentine's Law Dictionary

James A. Ballentine · 1916

An ecclesiastical officer subordinate to a bishop.

Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia

John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914

A ministerial officer subordinate to the bishop. In the primitive church, the archdeacons were employed by the bishop in the more servile duties of collecting and distributing alms and offerings. Afterwards they became, in effect, "eyes to the overseers of the Church;" Cowell. His jurisdiction is ecclesiastical, and immediately subordinate to that of the bishop throughout the whole or a part of the diocese. He is a ministerial officer; 1 Bla. Com. 383. He is addressed as Venerable.

Black's Law Dictionary

Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910

A dignitary of the Anglican church who has ecclesiastical jurisdiction immediately subordinate to that of the bishop, either throughout the whoie of his diocese or in some particular part of it.

A Law Dictionary and Glossary

George C. Kinney · 1893

In English ecclesiastical law. An ecclesiastical officer having jurisdiction immediately subordinate to the bishop, through the whole or in some particular part of the diocesa

Glossary of Technical Terms, Phrases, and Maxims of the Common Law

Frederic Jesup Stimson · 1881

The ecclesiastical officer next the ed by him and having a court of concurrent diocese or a part of it. v. Court, 81.