Cryptoquip Answer 08/16/2023

The answer is a clever pun on the word “deacon”, which is a type of church official who serves the community in various ways. According to the Oxford Dictionaries, the word “deacon” comes from the Greek word “diákonos”, which means “servant”, “minister”, or “messenger”.

Deacons are found in many Christian denominations, such as Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Methodist, and Lutheran churches. They have different roles and responsibilities depending on their tradition, but they generally assist the priests or pastors in preaching, teaching, administering sacraments, and caring for the poor and needy. Some famous deacons in history include Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr; Saint Francis of Assisi, the founder of the Franciscan order; and Athanasius of Alexandria, a defender of the doctrine of the Trinity.

The phrase “a deacon of hope” is a play on the expression “a beacon of hope”, which means someone or something that gives hope or inspiration to others. A beacon is a light or signal that guides or warns people, especially at sea or in the air. The word “beacon” comes from the Old English word “beacen”, which means “sign” or “banner”.

Some examples of beacons of hope are:

• The Statue of Liberty, which symbolizes freedom and democracy for immigrants and refugees.
• Nelson Mandela, who fought against apartheid and became the first black president of South Africa.
• Malala Yousafzai, who survived a Taliban attack and became an advocate for girls’ education and human rights.