MaryCelia wrote that priests hands are kissed for the reason that the priest holds the body and blood of Christ, and that for this reason the deacons hand is not kissed.
However, it should be noted that in the Greek Orthodox tradition, deacons hands are kissed because, in actual fact (and contrary to the suggestion of the original post), the deacon takes the Body of Christ in exactly the same way as a priest does - in the palm of his right hand.
The only difference is that deacons do not pick up the Body from the diskos themselves - rather they receive it into their hand from the hand of a priest. Otherwise it is the same - ie they hold the Body in the palm of their hands as they pray the Prayer Before Communion ("I believe and I confess that Thou art...")
It is a Russian practice not to kiss a deacon's hand - but I am not sure why Russians thought this up - probably because they considered the deacon to be kind of a glorified altar boy. In fact, the deacon takes the same oath as a priest at ordination, and is subject to the same rules with regards to his life, appearance, how he runs his household etc. The differences are liturgical. Priests are obligated to administer the Seven Sacraments on behalf of their ruling Bishop, whilst a deacon cannot.
With regards to deacons being called father, the Greek practice is to call them "Deacon", as is, apparently, the Old Ritualist Russian practice.
Interestingly, however, it is also the practice amongst "new" ritualist Russians that even ordained Subdeacons (as opposed to altar boys with the honarary award of a crossed orarion) are called "Father". There are so few ordained subdeacons around in most of the various jursidictions that the traditions surrounding them are not well understood, even by clergy. Ordained subdeacons may enter the Royal Doors when assisting a Bishop in serving, and they may also touch the Altar Table itself when changing its vestments.
Apart from that, it's an excellent article.
AO