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" (in en-US). Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. https://www.goarch.org/-/a-dictionary-of-orthodox-terminology-part-1.
↑ "Autocephalous / Autonomous - Questions & Answers". Orthodox Church in America. https://www.oca.org/questions/autocephaly/autocephalous-autonomous.
↑ 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)". https://lsj.gr/wiki/κεφαλή.
↑ "νόμος – Ancient Greek (LSJ)". https://lsj.gr/wiki/νόμος.
↑ Erickson, John H. (1991). The challenge of our past : studies in Orthodox Canon law and Church history. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir's Seminary Press. pp. 132. ISBN 0-88141-086-1. OCLC 23254257.

"АВТОНОМНАЯ ЦЕРКОВЬ". https://www.pravenc.ru/text/63038.html.
Цыпин, Владислав (2004). "27. Церковь и территория. Церковная диаспора. Автокефальные и автономные Церкви" (in ru). Курс церковного права : Учеб. пособие. Христиан. жизнь. https://azbyka.ru/otechnik/Vladislav_Tsypin/tserkovnoe-pravo/4_7.
"Autonomy and the Means by Which it is Proclaimed" (in en). http://holycouncil.org/autonomy.

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[1] "A Dictionary of Orthodox Terminology - Part 1 (A–H) – Introduction to Orthodoxy Articles" (in en-US). Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. https://www.goarch.org/-/a-dictionary-of-orthodox-terminology-part-1.

[2] "Autocephalous / Autonomous - Questions & Answers". Orthodox Church in America. https://www.oca.org/questions/autocephaly/autocephalous-autonomous.

[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)". https://lsj.gr/wiki/κεφαλή.

[5] "νόμος – Ancient Greek (LSJ)". https://lsj.gr/wiki/νόμος.

[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. pp. 132. ISBN 0-88141-086-1. OCLC 23254257.

Autonomy (Eastern Orthodoxy)

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