adj. 1 of or relating to the Apostles. 2 of the Pope regarded as the successor of St Peter. 3 of the character of an Apostle. Apostolic Fathers the Christian leaders immediately succeeding the Apostles. apostolic succession the uninterrupted transmission of spiritual authority from the Apostles through successive popes and bishops.
[ F apostolique or eccl.L apostolicus f. Gk apostolikos (as APOSTLE) ]