: 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
Recent Examples on the WebPope 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 The first-ever apostolic journey to Moscow is also currently being discussed, should Russian authorities allow the visit.Fox News, 13 July 2022 Andrew Bellisario has served as Juneau bishop since 2017 and as the apostolic administrator in Anchorage since last summer. Tess Williams, Anchorage Daily News, 20 May 2020 Pope John Paul II elevated him to auxiliary bishop in 2001 and made Bishop Lennon apostolic administrator of the archdiocese in December 2002.BostonGlobe.com, 31 Oct. 2019 The pope has appointed Baker as apostolic administrator of the diocese until Raica’s installation Mass, scheduled for June 23 at the Cathedral of St. Paul in Birmingham.al, 25 Mar. 2020 Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation on the Amazon Synod, released Wednesday, is no truth-and-tradition-shredding document. Tim Busch And Mary Rice Hasson, WSJ, 13 Feb. 2020 Between Perez and predecessor, Bishop Richard Lennon, the pope appointed an apostolic administrator. Emily Bamforth, cleveland, 19 Feb. 2020 See More
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