Two new deacons have been ordained by the Church of England in Suffolk.
They were ordained by the Rt Revd Martin Seeley, Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, at a service on October 16 in St Mary-le-Tower Church, Ipswich.
Revd Gregor Purdie will be a deacon at St Mary-le-Tower while the Revd Dr Antony Rich will assume deacon duties in the Sancroft benefice, covering places such as Fressingfield and Stradbroke.
Deacons work alongside priests to support their communities, addressing the needs of those struggling or who are sick.
Bishop Martin said: "We are delighted to welcome them as deacons and guide them as they set out on a new stage of their journey in Christian life in Suffolk.
"A deacon is sometimes referred to as the eyes and ears of the church in the local community where they bring the church to address the needs and hopes of all the people."
The latest ordinations follow more than 20 men and women who were ordained priests and deacons in June this year at the Cathedral in Bury St Edmunds.
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