apostolic

adjective

ap·​os·​tol·​ic ˌa-pə-ˈstä-lik 

1

a

: of or relating to an apostle

b

: of, relating to, or conforming to the teachings of the New Testament apostles

2

a

: of or relating to a succession of spiritual authority from the apostles held (as by Roman Catholics, Anglicans, and Eastern Orthodox) to be perpetuated by successive ordinations of bishops and to be necessary for valid sacraments and orders

b

: papal

apostolicity

ə-ˌpä-stə-ˈli-sə-tē 

noun

Examples of apostolic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

During the delivery of his Urbi et Orbi message, the traditional apostolic blessing and message to the world, the pope’s voice sounded hoarse at times, but improved from previous weeks. —Claudio Lavanga, NBC News, 31 Mar. 2024

Pope Francis issued an apostolic letter in 2019 that once again tightly restricted the Traditional Latin Mass, supposedly to foster unity. —Patrick Neas, Kansas City Star, 29 Mar. 2024

There’s no dispute between the two churches regarding apostolic lineage or the validity of their respective sacraments; the two differ mainly in form, not doctrine—except for the main stumbling block, Catholic doctrine on papal primacy. —Victor Gaetan, Foreign Affairs, 28 Nov. 2014

Pope Francis appointed and removed Bishop Martin Holley in Tennessee's Memphis diocese in 2018 for financial mismanagement, after an apostolic visitation. —Peter Weber, The Week, 27 June 2023

Archbishop Shelton Fabre of Louisville, Kentucky, will serve as apostolic administrator of the Knoxville diocese until the pope appoints Stika's replacement. —Peter Weber, The Week, 27 June 2023

Such investigations, known as apostolic visitations, are rare, formal examinations of leadership that can be prompted by a wide range of possible offenses, including theological disagreements and financial mismanagement. —Ruth Graham, BostonGlobe.com, 28 June 2023

Pope Francis oversaw a Mass in Edmonton, Canada, on Tuesday as part of his apostolic journey. —Fox News, 26 July 2022

To say that would be to contradict the apostolic faith of the church. —WSJ, 26 July 2022

Word History

Etymology

Middle English appostolike, borrowed from Late Latin apostolicus, borrowed from Late Greek apostolikós, from Greek apóstolos "messenger, envoy, apostle" + -ikos -ic entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing apostolic

• apostolic delegate
• prefect apostolic
• prefecture apostolic
• prothonotary apostolic
• protonotary apostolic
• vicar apostolic

Kids Definition

apostolic

adjective

ap·​os·​tol·​ic ˌap-ə-ˈstäl-ik 

1

: of or relating to an apostle or the apostles

2

: papal