Apostles, Equal of

Apostles, Equal of is a term applied to

(1) bishops supposed to be consecrated by apostles, as Aberciiss of Hierapolis (Oct. 22);

(2) holy women who were companions of the apostles, as Mary Magdalene, Junia, and Thecla;

(3) princes who have aided the spread of the faith, as Constantine and Helena in the Orthodox Greek Church, and Vladimir in 'the Russian Church;

(4) the first preachers, or "apostles," of the faith in any country, as Nina, in the Georgian calendar.