AUTOCEPHALI Meaning and
Definition
-
Autocephali is a term used in ecclesiastical and religious contexts, particularly within the Eastern Orthodox Church, to describe the status of a particular church or bishopric. The term originates from the Greek words "auto," meaning self, and "kephale," meaning head. In essence, "autocephali" refers to a church or bishopric that has the authority to govern itself and make decisions independently, without being subject to the authority or jurisdiction of any higher-ranking ecclesiastical body.
An autocephalous church possesses the power to elect and consecrate its own bishops, establish its own liturgical practices and traditions, and administer sacraments. It also has the right to establish disciplinary rules and canons for its clergy and faithful followers. However, despite its self-governing status, an autocephalous church may still be in communion and have fraternal relations with other churches within the same tradition.
The concept of autocephali has historical roots dating back to the early centuries of Christianity, although it has evolved and diversified over time. In contemporary usage, autocephaly is often granted or recognized by a higher-ranking ecclesiastical authority, such as a patriarchate, through the bestowal of a tomos, a formal document that confirms the independence and self-rule of a particular church or diocese.
Overall, autocephali denotes a significant level of autonomy and self-governance within the religious hierarchy, allowing a particular church to exercise its spiritual and administrative authority with relative independence.
Etymology of AUTOCEPHALI
The word "autocephali" comes from the Greek language. "Auto-" means "self" or "own", and "cephalos" means "head". Therefore, "autocephali" literally means "self-headed". The term is primarily used in the context of Eastern Orthodox Christianity and refers to a church or a group of churches that are self-governing and have autonomy over their own affairs, including the election of their own bishops and maintenance of their own administrative structures.
Similar spelling words for AUTOCEPHALI
