Subdeacon

A subdeacon is one who holds a subdiaconate, a religious degree, order or office in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Subdeacons may wear religious clothing (black clothing), including a cassock. This order is higher than the Anagnostis (reader) and lower than the deacon. It is considered a tonsured office rather than an ordained office, but is still often considered one of the steps towards the priesthood. A subdeacon typically assists the priest during religious services in the sanctuary, the area around the altar in a church.

Roman Catholicism

A Subdeacon was one of the three major orders of the priesthood in the Roman Catholic Church until it was abolished in the reforms of the Second Vatican Council. The other major orders were Deacon and Priest. The minor orders were porter /ostiarius, lector, exorcist and acolyte. The vestments particularly associated with the order of subdeacon were the Tunic and the Humeral veil.

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