In this article, the figure of the Deacon in the Church of the IV and V Century is presented, starting mainly from the Augustinian sources to reveal fundamentally four elements. In the first place, the fact that the Deacon exercised different functions subordinate to the Bishop. Secondly, the conditions for being accepted in the group of Deacons in the time of Saint Augustine are revealed. Thirdly, the theological and liturgical background of Deacons in Late Antiquity is pointed out. Later, the figure of the Deacon in the Donatist controversy is addressed, and the article ends with some observations on the liturgical clothing of the Deacons.

The article presents those elements that were required of a bishop in Late Antiquity, both the cultural elements, as well as the spiritual ones, that he must have as the father of the Christian community. The article reviews some sermons of Augustine of Hippo, particularly those preached on the anniversary of his episcopal consecration (ss. 23; 46; 47; 49; 101; 270; 339; 340A; 355; 356). Such sermons have a particular interest, since they express Augustine’s point of view when interpreting his episcopal ministry in the context of the late Antiquity society, particularly in the Latin area.