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

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

Present Day

In the present day, the See of Rome is the seat of the Roman Catholic Church and the See of Constantinople is the primary See of the (less centralized) Eastern Orthodox Church. The other three Eastern Sees are seats of Eastern Orthodox patriarchs.

See Also