Apostolic Succession

Apostolic Succession

Apostolic succession in the Orthodox Church is the unbroken chain of ordination extending back to the Apostles themselves. Each bishop is ordained by other bishops, who in turn were ordained by their predecessors, forming a continuous lineage that ultimately traces back to Christ.

This succession is not merely historical or mechanical, but sacramental and theological. As long as Orthodox bishops remain within this unbroken chain, hold the same Apostolic faith, celebrate the same liturgy, and remain in communion with one another, the Church remains one, even if its administrative structures are multiple.

The Orthodox model of Church governance has always been conciliar rather than centralized. There is no pope or single earthly head of the Church. Instead, the Church exists as a family of autocephalous churches that recognize one another’s validity and share the same Eucharistic communion.

When serious doctrinal or pastoral issues arise, these churches gather in councils to discern the truth together, preserving unity through shared faith, sacramental life, and conciliar decision-making rather than through centralized authority.