apostolica

Apostolica is a Latin term meaning “of the apostles” or “apostolic.” It functions as the feminine form of the adjective apostolicus and is used primarily in ecclesiastical and historical contexts to denote a relationship to the apostles or to the apostolic succession that characterizes the leadership of the Christian Church, especially the Roman Catholic Church.

In ecclesiastical Latin, apostolica appears in phrases and titles that designate authority, liturgy, or institutions associated with the apostles. A well-known usage is Sedes Apostolica, referring to the Apostolic See, i.e., the Holy See. The term also occurs in the naming of official documents and statutes that concern the governance and discipline of the Church, where apostolica agreements or constitutions may be described with forms derived from apostolica, such as apostolicae sedis in genitive phrases.

Beyond Latin, the term is encountered in Romance-language contexts as an adjective meaning “apostolic.” In these languages, apostolica can appear in the names of religious orders, dioceses, or churches that wish to emphasize their connection to the apostles or to apostolic tradition. The precise usage and form often depend on the grammatical rules of the language in question.

Overall, apostolica serves as a formal marker of apostolic relation within Catholic Latin tradition and in historical or ceremonial titles that reference the apostolic foundation of church authority and mission. See also apostolic and Sedes Apostolica for related concepts.