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Noun: diaconate  dI'a-ku-nut
  1. The office or period of office of a deacon in a church
    "He served in the diaconate for several years before becoming a priest"
     
  2. A group or body of deacons in a church
    "The diaconate met to discuss community outreach programs"

Derived forms: diaconates

Encyclopedia: Diaconate