Syro-Malabar Church Gets Its First Married Permanent Deacon

Check this out, from India: 

In a historic development, a layman, that too a married man, has been conferred with deacon status by the Syro-Malabar Church.

Though the Church has conferred deacon status on laymen in the past, it is for the first time that a permanent diaconate is being conferred on a married man after the Syro-Malabar Church became an independent Church.

Deacon, a ministry in the Christian Church, is generally associated with certain specific services. However, it varies among theological and denominational traditions.

Joice James, a father of four, was made a  permanent deacon by Syro-Malabar Church head Mar George Cardinal Alencherry at a ceremony held during the holy mass on Monday.

Joice has pursued a total of five years of seminary study in India and London. Joice, son of Pallikamyalil James and  Philomina, belongs to the St George Church Parish at Muthalakkulam under the Kothamangalam diocese. His wife Jibi and children were present at the function. Joice, who had been working in the education sector in London for the last 15 years, will serve in the Ujjain diocese of the Syro-Malabar Church.

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Congratulations and welcome!  Ad multos annos!