Symposium: THE NATURE AND ROLE OF DEACONS, OR THE FULLNESS OF PRIESTHOOD

The author advances the following:

"The bishop possesses the fullness of the priestly ministry, while those he ordains priest act vicariously on his behalf – analogous to being his hands at the Altar – and the deacons something more like his feet, as they go into the highways and byways in search of the poor and those in need."

So - is the diaconate distinguished by its ministry of works of mercy? Or, is it distinguished rather by their preaching? (the thesis advanced by another author)