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
Words nearby apostolic succession
apostolic age,
apostolic church,
apostolic delegate,
apostolic fathers,
apostolic see,
apostolic succession,
apostolic vicar,
apostolos,
apostrophe,
apostrophize,
apothecaries' measure
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