autocephalous

adjective

au·​to·​ceph·​a·​lous ˌȯ-tō-ˈse-f(ə-)ləs How to pronounce autocephalous (audio)
: independent of external and especially patriarchal authority
used especially of Eastern national churches
autocephaly noun

Examples of autocephalous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Every autocephalous church holds to the same faith as its sister churches. J. Eugene Clay, The Conversation, 7 Feb. 2022 The ongoing invasion has spurred Orthodox bishops to separate from the patriarchate of Moscow and begin operating autocephalous episcopal sees. Fox News, 4 June 2022 Kirill still claims jurisdiction over all of Ukraine despite the establishment, in Kyiv, of a nationwide autocephalous church in 2018. Nr Editors, National Review, 17 Mar. 2022 The fight for an autocephalous, or independent, church is a long and divisive history and so theologically labyrinthine that scholars disagree on major points. Alexander Thompson, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Mar. 2022 Three other autocephalous churches have explicitly rejected the new church. J. Eugene Clay, The Conversation, 7 Feb. 2022 Each autocephalous church has its own head, or kephale in Greek. J. Eugene Clay, The Conversation, 7 Feb. 2022 The idea of an autocephalous, or independent, Ukrainian church has long been a dream of Ukrainian nationalists. Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 Apr. 2019 The decision marked a step toward establishing an ecclesiastically independent – or autocephalous – church in Ukraine. Vladimir Isachenkov, The Seattle Times, 15 Oct. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'autocephalous.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Late Greek autoképhalos (from Greek auto- auto- + -kephalos, adjective derivative of kephalḗ "head") + -ous — more at cephalic

First Known Use

circa 1754, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of autocephalous was circa 1754

Dictionary Entries Near autocephalous

Cite this Entry

“Autocephalous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autocephalous. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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