Apostolic See

In the several centuries following the founding of Christianity, five particular cities and centers of Christianity were considered to be the Apostolic Sees.

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The Churches in each of these cities was considered Apostolic because it was founded (at least allegedly) by one of the Apostles.

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• Rome, in present-day Italy, from the Apostle Saint Peter.
• Constantinople, now Istanbul in present-day Turkey, from the Apostle Saint Andrew. (See Patriarch of Constantinople.)
• Antioch, in present-day Syria, from the Apostle Saint Peter. (See Patriarch of Antioch, Antiochian Orthodox Church, Syrian Orthodox Church.)
• Alexandria, in present-day Egypt, from the Apostle Saint Mark. (Three bishops now claim to hold this office as St. Mark's successor: one Eastern Orthodox patriarch, one Eastern-rite 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.)
 
Apostolic See: Present day ►