Shitsuji means 'diaconus' in Latin and it is called so because the post originates from the post that was created at the original church in order to bring relief to the Apostles from odd jobs, such as 'preparation of meal', so that they can concentrate on propagation (chapter six of the Acts of Apostles).
ラテン語ではdiaconusといい、初代教会において使徒らを「食事の世話」などの共同体の雑用から開放し宣教に専念させるために置かれた職位を継承するものとされる（使徒言行録六章）。