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46 46 A Short History of Nursing conesses lived there — they had then adopted community life — under the direction of Olympia, a woman who combined great spiritual gifts with worldly prestige. The order of deaconesses re- mained organized in the Eastern church until the eighth century, but its importance diminished in the fifth and sixth, after church decrees had de- prived the deaconess of her clerical duties and rank. The deaconess order did not merge into monasticism. As it died away its place was taken by groups of monastic women whose origin may be found in the early orders of widows and virgins, but the deaconess order had brief periods of renas- cence throughout the Middle Ages, generally in connection with those religious movements then regarded as heretical, which attempted a return to the simple life of the apostolic church. The Virgins and Widows were also classed among the clergy of the early church, though their rank at first was somewhat less than that of the deacons. The ecclesiastical Widows were those who had a claim upon the church for support. They became an important body, presided over meetings, and taught the Gospel, forming a bench of "Elders." Their position became so dignified and useful that many widows of independent means were attracted to it, dedicated themselves