archdeacon
n. countablen. a high-ranking church official who helps the bishop manage a large area. They often have a lot of power in the local church community.
n. a high-ranking ecclesiastical officer, typically ranking below a bishop and above a priest, who oversees a specific region or diocese. Often responsible for administrative and disciplinary matters within the church hierarchy.
The archdeacon visited the local churches to check on their progress.
After the bishop retired, the archdeacon took over the responsibility of managing the cathedral's finances and staff.
Historically, the role of the archdeacon was pivotal in the governance of the diocese, acting as a bridge between the local clergy and the central ecclesiastical authority.
From Middle English arcedekne, archdecon, archdekne, archdekyn, archedeken, archedekyn, archedyacun, archideken, archidiacon, ardekne, ercedekene, ercedekne, erchdekene, erchedekene, erchedekne, erresdeken, ersedekne, ersedekyn, from Old English ærcedæcne, ærcediæcne, earcedæcne (from Late Latin archidiāconus) and Old French arc(h)ediacne.