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Autocephaly
(241 words)

[German Version]

(from the Gk αὐτός and κεφαλή, “one's own head”), an ecclesial term since the 6th century, at first employed in various ways, has become established following the canonist Theodoros Balsamon (died c. 1195) as a reference to the independence of the Orthodox Churches: independent selection and installation of the head of the church and of the – at least four – bishops; with agreement in faith, cult, and church law, and individual responsibility in relations with other churches, and questions, for example, of church order, f…

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Döpmann, Hans-Dieter, “Autocephaly”, in: Religion Past and Present. Consulted online on 28 March 2024 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1877-5888_rpp_SIM_01344>
First published online: 2011
First print edition: ISBN: 9789004146662, 2006-2013



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