autocephalous

[ aw-tuh-sef-uh-luhs ]

adjective

, Eastern Church.

1. (of a church) having its own head or chief bishop, though in communion with other Orthodox churches.
2. (of a bishop) subordinate to no superior authority; self-governing.

autocephalous

/ ˌɔːtəʊsɪˈfælɪk; ˌɔːtəʊˈsɛfələs /

adjective

1. (of an Eastern Christian Church) governed by its own national synods and appointing its own patriarchs or prelates
2. (of a bishop) independent of any higher governing body

Derived Forms

• ˌautoˈcephaly, noun
• autocephalic, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of autocephalous¹

First recorded in 1860–65, autocephalous is from the Late Greek word autoképhalos having its own head. See auto- ¹, -cephalous

Example Sentences

The Church of Cyprus has been autocephalous since at any rate the oecumenical synod of Ephesus in 431.

From Project Gutenberg

The Cretan Church is not, strictly speaking, autocephalous, being dependent on the patriarchate of Constantinople.

From Project Gutenberg