Dictionary

apostolize en · VERB

Etymology

From apostle + -ize.

Meanings

1. (archaic) To convert; to proselytize.
   • To promote its interests, by rendering the United States subsidiary; to conquer the mind of this country by conforming American ideas to French theories, were objects sufficient to engage all the efforts of these restless aliens, who gladly arrayed themselves under its political agents in their mission to apostolize this western world. 1864, John Church Hamilton, History of the Republic of the United States of America:
   • In the year 1835, the Holy Synod thought it necessary to apostolize a little in the district of Wiatka, and to convert the Tcheremisses (heathens) to the right faith. 1855, Aleksandr Herzen, My Exile in Siberia, page 246:
   • ...but I am now about to produce evidence that Asoka's acquaintance with geography was not limited to Asia, and that his expansive benevolence towards living creatures extended, at least in intention, to another quarter of the globe;—that his religious ambition sought to apostolize Egypt;—and that we must hereafter look for traces of the introduction of Buddhism into the fertile reagions of the Nile, so prolific of metaphysical discussions from the earliest ages! 1858, Edward Thomas, Essays on Indian Antiquities, page 20:
   • Either then our Christianity is wrong, and the knowing ones who have the right views, like R. W. C. and S. S., should apostolize the nation, or Christianity is opposed to human progress, as we assert and argue in proof of. 1872, The British Controversialist: And Literary Magazine, page 430:
2. To make sacred or apostolic.
   • But, since the bones of Saint Peter did not have the power to absolve when they were enthroned and apostolized, nor did Peter thus become "apostolic" nor did the Roman pontiffs who are made popes on this chair have the power to pardon. 1998, Patrick J. Geary, Readings in Medieval History - Volume 2, →ISBN, page 196:
   • So he learns to "apostolize" the tying of a parcel or the washing of a dish, by offering that trivial action as an expression of his love. 1951, Robert Nash, Living your faith, page 90:
   • And He said to them, the harvest indeed is great, but the laborers are few: intreat therefore YAHWEH of the harvest to apostolize laborers into His harvest. 2016, William Petri, Universal Version Bible The Greek Scriptures, →ISBN, page 118:

Forms