Apostolic Succession, in church affairs, an uninterrupted succession of bishops, and through them, of priests and deacons, by regular ordination, from the first apostles to the present day. According to this doctrine Christ ordained his apostles; they ordained others; who, in turn, perpetuated the succession. Bishops, priests, and deacons are the three apostolic orders. Ordination is not valid unless it comes in unbroken succession from the hand of Christ through the first apostles. The doctrine of apostolic succession is held by the Roman church, the Greek church, the Armenian church, the Alexandrian church, and the Anglican church (Church of England).