In the several centuries following the founding of Christianity, five particular cities and centers of Christianity were considered to be Apostolic Sees. This article is becoming very long. ...

The Churches in each of these cities was considered Apostolic because it was founded (at least allegedly) by one of the Apostles. The Twelve Apostles (in Koine Greek απόστολος apostolos [1], someone sent forth/sent out, an emissary) were probably Galilean Jewish men (10 names are Aramaic, 4 names are Greek) chosen from among the disciples, who were sent forth by Jesus of Nazareth to preach the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles...

• Rome, in present-day Italy, from the Apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul.
• Constantinople, now Istanbul in present-day Turkey, from the Apostle Saint Andrew. (See Patriarch of Constantinople.)
• Antioch, in present-day Turkey, from the Apostle Saint Peter. (See Patriarch of Antioch, Antiochian Orthodox Church, Syrian Orthodox Church.)
• Alexandria, in present-day Egypt, from Saint Mark, who, however, is not called an apostle in the New Testament. (Three bishops now claim to hold this office as St. Mark's successor: one Eastern Orthodox patriarch, one Eastern Catholic patriarch, and the Coptic pope.)
• Jerusalem, in present-day Israel, or Palestine, from the twelve apostles themselves as the original Church. (See Patriarch of Jerusalem.)

Many other episcopal sees too could claim to be founded by Apostles. For instance, the Churches in Thessalonica and Corinth were founded by Saint Paul. Nickname: The Eternal City Motto: SPQR: Senatus PopulusQue Romanus Location of the city of Rome (yellow) within the Province of Rome (red) and region of Lazio (grey) Coordinates: Region Lazio Province Province of Rome Founded 8th century BC Mayor Walter Veltroni Area    - City 1,285 km²  (496. ... Saint Peter, also known as Simon ben Jonah/BarJonah, Simon Peter, Cephas and Kepha — original name Simon or Simeon (Acts 15:14) — was one of the Twelve Apostles whom Jesus chose from among his original disciples. ... Paul of Tarsus (d. ... Map of Constantinople. ... Istanbul (Turkish: , Greek: Konstandinoúpoli, historically known in English as Constantinople; see other names) is Turkeys most populous city, and its cultural and economic centre. ... Saint Andrew (Greek: Ανδρέας, Andreas, manly, brave), called in the Orthodox tradition Protocletos, or the First-called, is a Christian Apostle and the brother of Saint Peter. ... The Patriarch of Constantinople is the Ecumenical Patriarch, ranking as the first among equals in the Eastern Orthodox communion. ... Antioch on the Orontes (Greek: Αντιόχεια η επί Δάφνη, Αντιόχεια η επί Ορόντου or Αντιόχεια η Μεγάλη; Latin: Antiochia ad Orontem, also Antiochia dei Siri), the Great Antioch or Syrian Antioch was an ancient city located on the eastern side (left bank) of the Orontes River about 30 km from the sea and its port, Seleucia Pieria. ... Saint Peter, also known as Simon ben Jonah/BarJonah, Simon Peter, Cephas and Kepha — original name Simon or Simeon (Acts 15:14) — was one of the Twelve Apostles whom Jesus chose from among his original disciples. ... Patriarch of Antioch is the traditional title carried by the Bishop of Antioch. ... The Antiochian Orthodox Church is one of the five churches that composed the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church before the Great Schism, and today is one of the autocephalous Eastern Orthodox Churches. ... The Syriac Orthodox Church is an autocephalous Oriental Orthodox church based in the Middle East with members spread throughout the world. ... Alexandria Modern Alexandria. ... Mark the Evangelist (1st century) is traditionally believed to be the author of the Gospel of Mark, drawing much of his material from Peter. ... John 21:1 Jesus Appears to His Disciples--Alessandro Mantovani: the Vatican, Rome. ... ... The Eastern Catholic Churches are autonomous particular Churches in full communion with the Pope of Rome. ... Jesus Christ in a Coptic icon. ... Panoramic view from Mt. ... The Twelve Apostles (in Koine Greek απόστολος apostolos [1], someone sent forth/sent out, an emissary) were probably Galilean Jewish men (10 names are Aramaic, 4 names are Greek) chosen from among the disciples, who were sent forth by Jesus of Nazareth to preach the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles... The term Christian Church, or Catholic Church, as it was known by Christians beginning in the second century, expresses the idea that organised Christianity (the Christian religion) is seen as an institution. ... The term Patriarch of Jerusalem can refer to the holders of one of three offices: The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, who is one of the Roman Catholic patriarchs of the east The Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, who is one of nine highest-ranking Eastern Orthodox bishops, called patriarchs The Armenian... A see (from the Latin word sedem, meaning seat) is the throne (cathedra) of a bishop. ... The White Tower The Arch of Galerius Map showing the Thessaloníki prefecture Thessaloníki (Θεσσαλονίκη) is the second-largest city of Greece and is the principal city and the capital of the Greek region of Macedonia. ... Corinth, or Korinth (Greek: Κόρινθος, Kórinthos; see also List of traditional Greek place names) is a Greek city-state, on the Isthmus of Corinth, the narrow stretch of land that joins the Peloponnesus to the mainland of Greece. ... Paul of Tarsus (d. ...

When used in the singular, "the Apostolic See" referred to the see whose bishop claimed to be the successor of Saint Peter, who in this context is singled out as "the apostle", as in the context of Scripture studies "the apostle" means Saint Paul. Many religions and spiritual movements hold certain written texts (or series of spoken legends not traditionally written down) to be sacred. ...

Present day

In the present day, the See of Rome is the seat of the Roman Catholic Church and the See of Constantinople is the primary See of the (less centralized) Eastern Orthodox Church. Each of the other three Eastern Sees are seats of patriarchs from one or more of the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, and Oriental Orthodox Church. The Roman Catholic Church or Catholic Church (see Terminology below) is the Christian Church in full communion with the Bishop of Rome, currently Pope Benedict XVI. It traces its origins and sees itself as the same Church founded by Jesus of Nazareth and maintained through Apostolic Succession from the Twelve... The Eastern Orthodox Church is a religious organization which sees itself as the continuation of the original Christian body, founded by Jesus and his Twelve Apostles. ... The Roman Catholic Church or Catholic Church (see Terminology below) is the Christian Church in full communion with the Bishop of Rome, currently Pope Benedict XVI. It traces its origins and sees itself as the same Church founded by Jesus of Nazareth and maintained through Apostolic Succession from the Twelve... The term Oriental Orthodoxy refers to the churches of Eastern Christian traditions that keeps the faith of only the first three ecumenical councils of the undivided Church - the councils of Nicea, Constantinople and Ephesus. ...

See also

• Holy See
• episcopal see