APOSTOLICAL, an epithet, or name, given to things that have a relation to the apostles; as apostolical age, apostolical doctrine, &c. The Romanists call their church, by way of eminence, catholic and apostolical. In the primitive times, the appellation was given to such churches as had been founded by the apostles themselves; of which the four principal were those of Rome, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem. In progress of time, the bishop of Rome growing in power above the rest, and the three patriarchates of Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem, falling into the hands of the Saracens, the title apostolical became restrained to the Pope and fee of Rome. Hence we meet with apostolical fee, apostolical nuncio, apostolical notary, apostolical brief, apostolical chamber, &c.