Time for restoration of the threefold ministry?

[Steve Hayes]

When I was ordained deacon some five years ago, several people came up to me
immediately after the service and asked when I was going to be ordained a
priest, and my answer, getting more emphatic with each one who asked, was
�Never, I hope.�

At various times over five years since then people have asked the same
question, and I have usually answered that I would start to think about being
a priest when there were two deacons in every parish in the diocese. More
recently my bishop asked me if I was ready to be a priest yet, and a priest
friend asked me the same question, so to thought I had better give a more
comprehensive reply.

For anyone interested, I've posted the gist of my reply on my blog at:

http://khanya.wordpress.com/2010/02/09/deacons-and-diaconate/

--
The unworthy deacon,
Stephen Methodius Hayes
Contact: http://hayesfam.bravehost.com/stevesig.htm
Orthodox mission pages: http://www.orthodoxy.faithweb.com/