Monastic women deacons in the East received the stole as a symbol of their office at ordination, which took place inside the sanctuary.
Stott also supported the ordination of women deacons and presbyters, although he did not believe they should be in positions of headship.
Mr. Rhodes is assisted by two women deacons, one of whom expects to be ordained as a priest.
In 2000, the Church of Pakistan ordained its first women deacons.
This is due to questioning of official Church teaching and papal directives, such as those on abortion, birth control, women deacons, homosexuality, and liberation theology.
The oldest reference to women deacons occurs in Paul's Letters (c. 55-58 AD).
The title "women deacon" or "deaconess" appears in many documents from the early Church period, particularly in the East.
The Armenian Church has a long history of women deacons, to the present.
It is recognized that the women deacons have been especially effective in this area.
The Church in Wales votes to ordain women deacons.