autocephaly

[ aw-tuh-sef-uh-lee ]

noun

1. the state of being autocephalous.

Word History and Origins

Origin of autocephaly¹

autocephal(ous) + -y ³

Example Sentences

Neither has autocephaly, or full independence.

From Reuters

The former head of Moldova's Constitutional Court said the criticism of Moscow was part of a bid by the Russia-linked church to secure autocephaly.

From Reuters

As many Ukrainians sought to shed Russian dominance after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Kyivan Orthodox Church of Ukraine was granted autocephaly by Constantinople, which oversees most modern Orthodox churches, causing discord with Moscow which considers it a usurper.

From Reuters

In 2019, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of the Eastern Orthodox Church, granted complete independence, or autocephaly, to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.

From Washington Times

In 2019, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of the Eastern Orthodox Church, granted complete independence, or autocephaly, to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.

From Seattle Times