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| | CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Apostolic Churches |
 | | The epithet Apostolic (apostolikos) occurs as far back as the beginning of the second century; first, as far as known, in the superscription of Ignatius's Epistle to the Trallians (about 110), where the holy bishop greets the Trallian Church (en apostoliko charakteri): "in Apostolic character", viz., after the manner of the Apostles. |
 | | Therefore, it is easy to understand that the Apostolic Churches could not be lost sight of in such controversies, and it may be of interest to point out the apologetic argument of Irenaeus and Tertullian, which is founded on the preservation of the Apostolic doctrine in the various Apostolic Churches. |
 | | The tomb of the Apostle, founder of the Church, was religiously venerated in some of the Apostolic Churches, as, e.g., the tombs of Sts. |
| www.newadvent.org /cathen/01634a.htm (1301 words) |
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