Romans 16:1, 3, 12; Philippians 4:2, 3; 1 Timothy 3:11; 5:9, 10; Titus 2:3, 4 ). In these passages it is evident that females were then engaged in various Christian ministrations. Pliny makes mention of them also in his letter to Trajan (A.D. 110).

Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language

1. (n.) A female deacon

2. (n.) One of an order of women whose duties resembled those of deacons.

3. (n.) A woman set apart for church work by a bishop.

4. (n.) A woman chosen as a helper in church work, as among the Congregationalists.