Apostolic See.html



An Apostolic See is any episcopal see whose foundation is attributed to one or more of the Apostles. Examples are the Churches in Thessalonica and Corinth and the many others founded by Paul the Apostle, such as the Maltese Church. Other examples are those that became classified as the Pentarchy:

• Rome, in Italy, from the Apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul.
• Constantinople, now Istanbul in present-day Turkey, from the Apostle Saint Andrew.
• Alexandria, in present-day Egypt, from Saint Mark the Evangelist, who, although he is not called an apostle in the New Testament, is said to have been one of the Seventy Apostles and to have been commissioned as an apostle when he accompanied Saint Paul and Saint Barnabas in their apostolic journeys.
• Antioch, in present-day Turkey, from the Apostle Saint Peter.
• Jerusalem, in present-day Israel, or Palestine, from the twelve apostles themselves as the original Church and also a successor of the Apostle Saint James.

"The Apostolic See" is used in the singular to refer to the See of Rome, referring to the Pope's status as successor of the Apostle Peter.^[1]

References

1. ^ The Apostolic See in Catholic Encyclopedia; cf. Code of Canon Law, canon 361, Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, canon 48