In this volume, scholars from a variety of backgrounds extend the work begun in Deacons and Diakonia in Early Christianity (2018) into the patristic era, further contributing to our understanding of how leadership structures developed in the past and informing ecumenical discussions today.

Following the volume Deacons and Diakonia in the Early Church: The First Two Centuries (2018), this collection continues the study of deacons into the patristic era. Once again, scholars from a range of backgrounds each an expert on a particular early Christian author or text consider the use of diakonos and related words, this time from the third century onwards. These texts reveal what deacons did, further contributing to our understanding of how leadership structures developed in the past and giving guidance for the present, particularly in ecumenical discussions concerning the ministry.

Autorentext
Geboren 1955; 1989 Promotion (Universität für Theologie und Pastoral, Heerlen, NL); emeritierter ordentlicher Professor für Neues Testament; emeritierter außerordentlicher Professor für frühchristliche Literatur; Vorsitzender des Conventus Studiosorum Novi Testamenti (NL und Belgien). Geboren 1970; 2016 Promotion (Macquarie University); Stellvertretende Vizekanzlerin (Forschung) an der Australian University of Theology. Born 1953; Docent in Systematic Theology at University of Eastern Finland in Joensuu and Docent in Practical Theology at Ãbo Akademi University.

Inhalt
Anders Cardinal Arborelius: Foreword: The Deacon as a Prophetic Sign

**Introduction
** Bart J. Koet/Edwina Murphy/Esko Ryökäs: Finding Deacons and Deaconesses in the Sources of Early Christianity

Deacons in the Eastern Sources *
Ilaria L. E. Ramelli:* Diakonia in Origen: From Christ and the Angels to Men and Women Jonathan Cornillon: Understanding the Deletion of Deacons in the Ecclesiastical History : The Appointment of the Seven in Eusebius' Narrative Sabine R. Huebner: Deacons in Egypt in the Third and Fourth Century CE Doru Costache: Athanasius on Deacons and the Diaconate Brian Matz: Deacons in the Works of Gregory of Nazianzus Joseph Verheyden: Epiphanius of Salamis on Deacons and Diakonia: Assessing Evidence from an Unexpected Source Andreas Müller: The Diaconate according to John Chrysostom Heike Grieser: Deaconesses in Constantinople surrounding John Chrysostom Manuel Mira: Deacons as Ministers of Worship in the Catechetical Homilies and the Commentaries on the Pauline Epistles of Theodore of Mopsuestia Harri Huovinen: In the Service of the Sacramental Life: The Tasks of Deacons in Cyril of Jerusalem Joona Salminen: Evagrius the Deacon on and Demons Gerard Rouwhorst: Deacons in the Works of Ephrem the Syrian Serafim Seppälä: Deacons in the Desert

Deacons in the Western Sources *
Edwina Murphy:* The Bishop's Delegates: Deacons in Cyprian of Carthage Ton van Eijk: Lawrence: Deacon, Almoner, Martyr Carmen-Angela Cvetkovi: Assisting the Bishop: Ambrose of Milan's Views on Christian Deacons Bart J. Koet: Jerome on Deacons: A Good Monk is Better than Any Cleric Enrique A. Eguiarte: Liturgical Roles of the Deacon in Augustine: A Punic-Speaking Deacon is Needed (Ep. 84) Arnold Smeets: Duties and Opportunities: The Diaconate of Gregory the Great

Deacons in Legislative and Quasi-Legislative Sources *
Grant White:* Deacons in the Testamentum Domini : An Overview Elizabeth Boddens Hosang: The Fourth Century: The Council of Elvira Phoebe Kearns: The Liminal Nature of the Diaconal Role in the Didascalia Apostolorum Alistair C. Stewart: What Did Deacons Do (and Not Do)? Evidence from the Cappadocian Church Orders of the Fourth Century Pauliina Pylvänäinen: Imitators of Christ: Why are Deacons Paralleled with Christ in the Apostolic Constitutions 3.19? Alistair C. Stewart: The Female Deacon in the Church Order Literature: Women's Ministry in Fourth-Century Asia Rosa Mentxaka: Women Deacons and Mothers: Imperial Constitutions from the End of the Fourth Century

Concluding Reflections *
Bart J. Koet:* A Tale of Deacons and Deaconesses