Almoner

An almoner is a chaplain or church officer who originally was in charge of distributing money to the deserving poor. The first deacons mentioned in Acts 6:1–4 dealt with the distribution of the charity of the early Christian churches to needy members. The title almoner has fallen out of use in English, but its equivalents in other languages are often used for many pastoral functions exercised by chaplains or pastors. The word derives from the Ancient Greek: ἐλεημοσύνη eleēmosynē (alms), via the popular Latin almosinarius.

Historically, almoners were Christian religious functionaries whose duty was to distribute alms to the poor. Monasteries were required to spend a tithe (one tenth of their income) in charity to the poor. Bishops kept their own almoners and almoners were attached to the courts of the Kings of France. Charles VIII of France had a Grand Almoner in his employ.

In the United Kingdom, the Marquess of Exeter also holds the title of hereditary Grand Almoner. Today, however, one of the most prominent such offices is that of the Lord High Almoner in the Church of England. The holder of that office, as of 2015 John Inge, Bishop of Worcester, is responsible for organising the Queen's annual distribution of Maundy money.

The almoner remains an active and important office in the livery companies of the City of London. In Masonic Lodges, the almoner's duty is to oversee the needs of the Brethren within his Lodge. He is the contact for charity and looks after the welfare of the members, including visits to the sick, aged and infirm.

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