What is meant by apostolic succession?

Apostolic tradition mainly relates to the laying on of hands at ordination, not to the giving of the Holy Spirit in general. The belief in traditional churches is that ordained ministries date back to the first apostles and derive their unique authority from the unbroken chain of “apostolic succession” through Peter and on to today’s bishops, and through their hands to priests and deacons, as well as to laity through confirmation.