What is an Archdeacon?

Answer 1

An archdeacon is, historically, a deacon who is the highest ranking cleric in a diocese after the diocesan bishop.

Originally, the archdeacon was always an ordained deacon. As the diaconate became a transitional order in the medieval period, however, the archdeacon's office often was taken on by priests/presbyters. In this case, in some churches, the title became "vicar general".

In the Anglican Communion today, an archdeacon is usually a priest who serves as a regional assistant to the bishop, like a vicar forane (dean) in the Catholic Church.

In some Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches, the archdeacon is the most senior deacon in the diocese, and has the privilege of serving with the bishop at those liturgies where the diocesan bishop is presiding.

Answer 2

An archdeacon is a senior administrative official in a diocese in the Anglican and Eastern Orthodox churches.