Autonomy (Eastern Orthodoxy)

In Eastern Orthodoxy, autonomy designates a type of limited self-government of a church (group) toward its mother church. An autonomous church is self-governing in some aspects, which differentiates it from a non-autonomous church. The aspects on which the autonomous church is self-governing depends on the decision of the mother church. A church that is autonomous has its highest-ranking bishop, such as an archbishop or metropolitan, approved (or ordained) by the primate of the mother church.^[1]^[2]^[3]

Kephale (κεφαλή) means "head" in Greek,^[4] whereas nomos (νόμος) means "law".^[5] Hence, autocephalous (αὐτοκέφαλος) denotes self-headed,^[6] or a "head unto itself"; and autonomous denotes "self-legislated".

References

^ "A Dictionary of Orthodox Terminology - Part 1 (A–H) – Introduction to Orthodoxy Articles". Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Archived from the original on 2 January 2019. Retrieved 2021-03-30.
^ "Autocephalous / Autonomous - Questions & Answers". Orthodox Church in America. Retrieved 2021-03-30.
^ Ware, Timothy (1997). "Introduction". The Orthodox Church. Penguin Books. ISBN 978-0-14-192500-4. There are in addition several Churches which, while self-governing in most respects, do not possess full independence. These are termed 'autonomous' but not 'autocephalous'
^ "κεφαλή – Ancient Greek (LSJ)". Liddell, Scott, Jones Ancient Greek Lexicon. Retrieved 2021-04-06.
^ "νόμος – Ancient Greek (LSJ)". Liddell, Scott, Jones Ancient Greek Lexicon. Retrieved 2021-04-06.
^ Erickson, John H. (1991). The challenge of our past : studies in Orthodox Canon law and Church history. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir's Seminary Press. p. 132. ISBN 0-88141-086-1. OCLC 23254257.

"АВТОНОМНАЯ ЦЕРКОВЬ". www.pravenc.ru. Retrieved 2022-06-11.
Цыпин, Владислав (2004). "27. Церковь и территория. Церковная диаспора. Автокефальные и автономные Церкви". Курс церковного права : Учеб. пособие (in Russian). Христиан. жизнь.
"Autonomy and the Means by Which it is Proclaimed". Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church. Retrieved 2022-06-11.

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[1] "A Dictionary of Orthodox Terminology - Part 1 (A–H) – Introduction to Orthodoxy Articles". Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Archived from the original on 2 January 2019. Retrieved 2021-03-30.

[2] "Autocephalous / Autonomous - Questions & Answers". Orthodox Church in America. Retrieved 2021-03-30.

[3] Ware, Timothy (1997). "Introduction". The Orthodox Church. Penguin Books. ISBN 978-0-14-192500-4. There are in addition several Churches which, while self-governing in most respects, do not possess full independence. These are termed 'autonomous' but not 'autocephalous'

[4] "κεφαλή – Ancient Greek (LSJ)". Liddell, Scott, Jones Ancient Greek Lexicon. Retrieved 2021-04-06.

[5] "νόμος – Ancient Greek (LSJ)". Liddell, Scott, Jones Ancient Greek Lexicon. Retrieved 2021-04-06.

[6] Erickson, John H. (1991). The challenge of our past : studies in Orthodox Canon law and Church history. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir's Seminary Press. p. 132. ISBN 0-88141-086-1. OCLC 23254257.

[note_n0-7] The ROC severed full communion with the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 2018, and later severed full communion with the primates of the Church of Greece, the Patriarchate of Alexandria, and the Church of Cyprus in 2020.

[note_n1-8] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h Autocephaly or autonomy is not universally recognized.

[note_n3-9] UOC-MP was moved to formally cut ties with the ROC as of May 27th 2022.

[note_n2-10] Semi-autonomous part of the Russian Orthodox Church whose autonomy is not universally recognized.

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Autonomy (Eastern Orthodoxy)

See also

References

Further reading