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Praecones

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

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(i.e. heralds) is a name sometimes given to deacons, because it was their duty to pronounce the usual formularies of exhortation, etc., during the celebration of divine service. The word praeco corresponds to the Greek κήρυξ , and gave rise to the English Church term bidding prayer. The deacons were required to bid prayer in the congregation, i.e. to dictate to the people the usual forms of prayer in which they were to join, and to act as their director and guide in all the other parts of divine service. The word praedico is used in a similar signification. (See BIDDING PRAYER).