AUTOCEPHALOUS Meaning and
Definition
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Autocephalous is an adjective and a term used in ecclesiastical contexts to describe a particular type of self-governance within certain branches of the Christian Church. Derived from the Greek words "auto" which means "self" and "kephale" which means "head," autocephalous refers to a church or a particular religious jurisdiction that has the freedom to govern itself without being under the authority or control of any other external authority.
An autocephalous church operates independently of other churches, enjoying the privilege of electing its own bishops and leaders. It manages its own administrative and liturgical affairs, including the construction of its hierarchical structure and the establishment of rules and rituals according to its own traditions and beliefs. This autonomy allows the church to make decisions related to doctrine, discipline, and administration without interference or the need for approval from higher ecclesiastical bodies.
Autocephaly is usually granted by a recognized higher authority or conferred by historical tradition or agreement. The status of autocephaly is granted based on numerous factors, such as the size of the church, its historical significance, and the stability of its leadership. Autocephalous churches often maintain rich cultural and theological traditions, and they may have significant regional or national influence.
Overall, autocephalous refers to a self-governing church body that possesses the authority to govern itself and make decisions pertaining to its own affairs independently, without being subject to an external ecclesiastical authority.
Common Misspellings for AUTOCEPHALOUS
- arctocephalous
- zutocephalous
- sutocephalous
- wutocephalous
- qutocephalous
- aytocephalous
- ahtocephalous
- ajtocephalous
- aitocephalous
- a8tocephalous
- a7tocephalous
- augocephalous
- auyocephalous
- au6ocephalous
- auticephalous
- autkcephalous
- autlcephalous
- autpcephalous
- aut0cephalous
- aut9cephalous
- monocephalous
- otocephalous
- Autccephalous
- Autocphealous
Etymology of AUTOCEPHALOUS
The word "Autocephalous" has its roots in Greek. It is composed of two parts: "auto" meaning "self" and "cephalous" meaning "head".
In the context of religious institutions, particularly in the Eastern Orthodox Church, the term "Autocephalous" refers to a church or a bishopric that is self-governing and independent of external authority. Each autocephalous church has its own leader, known as a primate or a metropolitan, who does not report to a higher-ranking bishop or patriarch. This term is frequently used in the Orthodox Church to describe the status of various national or regional church bodies.
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