[ealgeone]

What we'd be looking for, is evidence that something had its origins in Apostolic times, as indicated by the fact that the belief was widespread in the customs, prayers and practices of widely dispersed early Christian churches (Asia, Africa, Europe).

What would be the definition/timer period of "Apostolic Times"?

[Mrs. Don-o]

There are two senses of the phrase "Apostolic Times." The first, central meaning would be 33AD-100AD, the time period between Pentecost and the death of the last Apostle (John, in either Patmos or Anatolia.)

There's a larger sense which would include the Apostolic Fathers, that is, the first-generation disciples of the Apostles, those who learned from the Apostles personally. That would extend the time-frame by a generation: AD 33 - AD 160 or so.

This list shows the span:

• Clement of Rome (ca. AD 15 - AD 99) was consecrated by St. Peter

• the author(s) of the Didache (written sometime between AD 50 and AD 110)

• Ignatius of Antioch (ca. AD 35 - AD 110) early bishop of Antioch, was taught by St. John)

• Polycarp of Smyrna(ca. 69-155) also a disciple of John

• the author of The Shepherd of Hermas (written between 140 -155)

[Mrs. Don-o]

I wanted to add that those are the textual "boundaries" of "Apostlic times." There are other sorts of evidence of what was taught in apostolic times, e.g. the testimony of people who came later, for instance, St. Basil in the fourth century said that we learned the "Sign of the Cross" from the time of the Apostles and that it was administered in baptisms.

There are also writings on the catacomb walls, monuments, ossuary inscriptions, and --- importantly --- music (meaning songs, hymns, chants) which for many communities was important in the transmission of the truths of the Faith.

I wrote a little about that HERE (LINK) a few years ago here at FR

.

In the Apostolic Age there were few books, but many communities where psalms, hymns and inspired songs (very often containing verbatim Scripture) facilitated the memorization and internalization of the basics of the Christian Faith which the previous generations had learned from the Apostles.