Conclusion
Autocephalism is a term that is used to describe the status of a church or religious organization that is self-governing and independent. It is a concept that is often associated with the Eastern Orthodox Church, but it can also be applied to other religious organizations that have similar structures and beliefs.
Definitions
Autocephalism is defined as the state of being self-governing or having the power to govern oneself. It is a term that is often used to describe the status of a church or religious organization that is independent and not subject to the authority of any other church or religious organization.
Origin
The term autocephalism comes from the Greek words “auto” meaning “self” and “cephalos” meaning “head.” It was first used in the context of the Eastern Orthodox Church in the early 20th century to describe the status of the various national churches that had emerged in the wake of the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, autocephalism is “the state of being self-governing or having the power to govern oneself, especially in relation to a church or religious organization.” The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines it as “the status of a church or religious organization that is self-governing and independent.”
Associations
Autocephalism is often associated with the Eastern Orthodox Church, which has a decentralized structure in which each national church is self-governing and independent. However, it can also be applied to other religious organizations that have similar structures and beliefs.
Synonyms
Synonyms of autocephalism include self-governance, self-rule, independence, autonomy, and sovereignty.
Antonyms
Antonyms of autocephalism include subordination, dependence, and subjugation.
The same root words
The root words of autocephalism are “auto” meaning “self” and “cephalos” meaning “head.” These same root words are found in other related terms such as autocracy (rule by one person), autodidact (self-taught), and autonomic (self-governing).
Example Sentences
- The autocephalous nature of the Eastern Orthodox Church means that each national church is independent and self-governing.
- The autocephalism of the Serbian Orthodox Church was recognized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 2019.
- The Ukrainian Orthodox Church recently gained autocephalous status, which was recognized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 2018.
Autocephalism is a term that is used to describe the status of a church or religious organization that is self-governing and independent. It is a concept that is often associated with the Eastern Orthodox Church, but it can also be applied to other religious organizations that have similar structures and beliefs. The term comes from the Greek words “auto” meaning “self” and “cephalos” meaning “head,” and it is often used in the context of discussions about the nature of church governance and authority.