apostolic succession

American  

noun

Roman Catholic Church, Orthodox Church, Anglican Church.

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

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Apostolic succession British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of apostolic succession

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

The blessing the Holy Father brings to us – and the reason why we salute him so joyfully – is the reaffirmation of our Catholic faith, grounded in the apostolic succession and tradition.

From Washington Post • Mar. 14, 2013

This made him wonder how many bishops a space colony would have to take along to uphold apostolic succession.

From Slate • Oct. 5, 2011

The cultlike nature of Straussianism is evident from the pride that many Straussian intellectuals take in delineating the apostolic succession that links them to the prophet himself.

From Salon • Jun. 15, 2010

Stephen II, whose two-day Papacy upset the whole apostolic succession.

From Time Magazine Archive

It is only an apostolic succession of great souls that understands anything in this world.

From Dreamers of the Ghetto by Zangwill, Israel