APOSTOLICAL, something that relates to the apostles, or descends from them. Thus we say, the apostolical age, apostolical doctrine, apostolical character, constitutions, traditions, &c.

in the primitive church, was an appellation given to all such churches as were founded by the apostles; and even to the bishops of those churches, as being the reputed successors of the apostles.—These were confined to four, viz. Rome, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem. In after times, other churches assumed the same quality, on account, principally, of the conformity of their doctrine with that of the churches which were apostolical by foundation, and because all bishops held themselves successors of the apostles, or acted in their diocese with the authority of apostles.

The first time the term apostolical is attributed to bishops as such, is in a letter of Clovis to the council of Orleans, held in 511, though that king does not there expressly denominate them apostolical (but apostolica sede dignissimi) highly worthy of the apostolical see. In §81, Guntram calls the bishops, met at the council of Maçon, apostolical pontiffs, apostolici pontifices.

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 was restrained to the pope and his church alone. Though some of the popes, and St Gregory the Great, not contented to hold the title by this tenure, began at length to insist, that it belonged to them by another and peculiar right, as being the successors of St Peter. The council of Rheims in 1049 declared that the pope was the sole apostolical primate of the universal church. And hence a great number of apostolicals; apostolical see, apostolical nuncio, apostolical notary, apostolical brief, apostolical chamber, apostolical vicar, &c.

APOSTOLICAL Constitutions. See Constitution.

APOSTOLICAL Traditions. See Tradition.

APOSTOLICAL Fathers is an appellation usually given to the writers of the first century who employed their pens in the cause of Christianity. Of these writers, Cotelerius, and after him Le Clerc, have published a collection in two volumes, accompanied both with their own annotations and the remarks of other learned men.

APOSTOLIANS, a sect of the Mennonites, which first sprang up in the year 1663, and derived its name from Apostool, one of the Mennonite ministers at Amsterdam. They concurred with them in doctrine, and admitted to their communion those only who professed to believe all the sentiments which are contained in their public confession of faith.