autocephalous

 
Pronunciation: /ˌɔːtə(ʊ)ˈsɛf(ə)ləs, -ˈkɛf-/

adjective

  • (of an Eastern Christian Church) appointing its own head, not subject to the authority of an external patriarch or archbishop.

Origin:

mid 19th century: from Greek autokephalos (from autos 'self' + kephalē 'head') + -ous