Autocephaly

Under the autocephalous churches ( autocephalous " independent ", from Greek αὐτό -auto- "self " and κεφαλή kephale " main " ) refers to those Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Churches, who are governed by its own chief and even the Archbishop or Metropolitan select. Most Orthodox churches belong to this group.

Autocephalous churches are autonomous and independent, that is fully independent. They are under no other patriarchs, metropolitans, Archbishop or Catholicos and none Synod of another country and determine their chief himself your connection with the Orthodox Church as a whole is not an organizational nature, but consists in the common faith, worship and church law.

In contrast, the usually quite small autonomous churches are just inside independently, in the naming of their leader has a parent church a say.