Apostolic see

For the episcopal see of Rome and the worldwide Catholic Church, and representing the Pope, sometimes called the Apostolic See, see Holy See.

An apostolic see is an episcopal see whose foundation is attributed to one or more of the apostles of Jesus or to one of their close associates. In Catholicism, the phrase "The Apostolic See" when capitalized refers specifically to the See of Rome.[1][2]

Tertullian (c. 155 − c. 240) gives examples of apostolic sees: he describes as churches "in which the very thrones of the apostles are still pre-eminent in their places, in which their own authentic writings are read, uttering the voice and representing the face of each of them severally" the following churches: Corinth, Philippi, Ephesus, and Rome.[3]

Tertullian says that from these "all the other churches, one after another, derived the tradition of the faith, and the seeds of doctrine, and are every day deriving them, that they may become churches. Indeed, it is on this account only that they will be able to deem themselves apostolic, as being the offspring of apostolic churches".[4]

  1. ^ Merriam-Webster: definition of apostolic see
  2. ^ Collins English Dictionary: Definition of 'apostolic see'
  3. ^ Tertullian, De praescriptione haereticorum, chapter 36; original Latin text
  4. ^ Tertullian, De praescriptionibus adversus haereticos, chapter XX