apostolic succession

noun Roman Catholic Church, Orthodox Church, Anglican Church.

the unbroken line of succession beginning with the apostles and perpetuated through bishops, considered essential for orders and sacraments to be valid.

Origin of apostolic succession

First recorded in 1830–40

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British Dictionary definitions for apostolic succession

Apostolic succession

noun

the doctrine that the authority of Christian bishops derives from the Apostles through an unbroken line of consecration

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