Apostolic Succession
An unbroken chain of bishops reaching back to the apostles
Apostolic succession is the continuity of the Church's ministry through bishops in unbroken line from the apostles, witnessed early by Clement of Rome, Irenaeus, and Hegesippus. Traditions differ on its weight: it is central to the order of the Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican churches, while many Protestant traditions understand it differently or de-emphasize it in favor of continuity in apostolic teaching.
How it traveled
- 2 CorinthiansPhilippi · 67explains
- 1 CorinthiansEphesus · 67applies
- GalatiansEphesus · 67explains
- ActsRome · 84explains
- Epistle to the Philadelphians: Shorter and Longer VersionsAntioch · 108explains
- Epistle to the Magnesians: Shorter and Longer VersionsAntioch · 108explains
- Epistle to the Smyrnæans: Shorter and Longer VersionsAntioch · 108explains
- Against Heresies: Book IIILyons · 202explains
- Against Heresies: Book VLyons · 202explains
- The Prescription Against Heretics.— · 220explains
- Book II. Of Bishops, Presbyters, and Deacons— · 220explains
- The Epistle of Pope Urban First.— · 220applies
- Book VIII. Concerning Gifts, and Ordinations, and the Ecclesiastical Canons— · 220explains
- Scorpiace.— · 220explains
- The Epistles of Cyprian.Carthage · 258explains
- The First Ecumenical Council: The First Council of NiceNicaea · 325explains
- The Church History of EusebiusCaesarea · 339explains
- The Life of Constantine with Orations of Constantine and EusebiusCaesarea · 339explains
- The Canons of the Councils of Ancyra, Gangra, Neocæsarea, Antioch and Laodicea, which Canons were Accepted and Received by the Ecumenical Synods— · 360explains
- Defence Against the Arians. (Apologia Contra Arianos.)Alexandria · 373explains
- Arian History. (Historia Arianorum ad Monachos.)Alexandria · 373explains
- Letters of Athanasius with Two Ancient Chronicles of His LifeAlexandria · 373explains
- Apology to the Emperor. (Apologia Ad Constantium.)Alexandria · 373applies
- Ephraim Syrus: The Nisibene HymnsEdessa · 373explains
- The LettersCaesarea (Cappadocia) · 379explains
- The Second Ecumenical Council: The First Council of ConstantinopleConstantinople (Istanbul) · 381applies
- The Catechetical Lectures of S. CyrilJerusalem · 386explains
- Select Orations of Saint Gregory NazianzenNazianzus · 390explains
- Select Letters of Saint Gregory NazianzenNazianzus · 390explains
- Selections from the Letters of St. AmbroseMilan · 397explains
Key passages(20)
Against Heresies: Book III · Irenaeus of Lyons
Against Heresies: Book IV · Irenaeus of Lyons
Against Heresies: Book V · Irenaeus of Lyons
Against the Epistle of Manichæus, Called Fundamental · Augustine of Hippo
Book VII. Concerning the Christian Life, and the Eucharist, and the Initiation into Christ · Constitutions of the Holy Apostles
Letters of St. Augustin · Augustine of Hippo
The Church History of Eusebius · Eusebius of Caesarea
The Prescription Against Heretics. · Anti-marcion
The Letters and Sermons of Leo the Great · Leo the Great
A Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles · John Chrysostom
Book Fourth. of the Holy Catholic Church · John Calvin
Book Fourth. of the Holy Catholic Church · John Calvin
Book Fourth. of the Holy Catholic Church · John Calvin
Book VIII. Concerning Gifts, and Ordinations, and the Ecclesiastical Canons · Constitutions of the Holy Apostles
Commentary on Galatians · Martin Luther
Ephraim Syrus: The Nisibene Hymns · Ephrem the Syrian
Ephraim Syrus: The Nisibene Hymns · Ephrem the Syrian
Epistle to the Smyrnæans: Shorter and Longer Versions · Ignatius of Antioch
Homilies on S. Ignatius and S. Babylas · John Chrysostom
Homilies on S. Ignatius and S. Babylas · John Chrysostom