[pgkdan]

I wonder what Paul would have to say about the “ancient” order of deaconesses.

[Mrs. Don-o]

Somebody needs to jump in here who knows more than I do, but as I've heard it, even when diakonos was used in old texts with a female reference it meant either the wife of a diakonos (deacon, male) or the equivalent of a catechist who taught, counseled and baptized women and children, i.e. not an ordained clerical role.

As I've heard it said.

[Carpe Cerevisi]

Not sure...but the statement itself is interesting and gives some good historical background on deaconesses and their roles .

[LouieFisk]

“I wonder what Paul would have to say about the “ancient” order of deaconesses.”
—
Actually, he did peak about them - Phoebe in particular - Romans chapter 16 verses 1-2.