It will have been noted that I have accepted the authority of Philostorgius that he was already deacon.  The argument employed by Tillemont against this statement is the fact of no distinct diaconate being mentioned by Gregory of Nazianzus.  But the silence of Gregory does not conclusively outweigh the distinct ἔτι τάξιν διακόνου ἔχων of Philostorgius; and a diaconate is supported by the mistaken statement of Socrates (H.E. iv. 26) that the deacon’s orders were conferred by Meletius.