I don’t think any bishop can trace his consecration back to a particular apostle. Most of the documents, especially the early ones, if there were any, have disappeared. Furthermore, there is no evidence that the apostles kept an official register of the bishops they consecrated. Things were not as formal as they are today.
I don’t think any bishop can trace his consecration back to a particular apostle. Most of the documents, especially the early ones, if there were any, have disappeared. Furthermore, there is no evidence that the apostles kept an official register of the bishops they consecrated. Things were not as formal as they are today.
Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History traces the bishops of the principle sees including Rome, Antioch, Jerusalem and Alexandria up to his time. Rome claims St. Peter. Antioch claims St. Peter as its founder and first bishop. Alexandria claims St. Mark is its founder and first bishop. Jerusalem obviously has St. James as its founder and first bishop.
This link is a great resource. I believe it is maintained by a member of this forum too. It gives bishops’ Apostolic Succession back to about 1500 or so. It also gives lists of the bishops of particular sees.
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