Q. 1. What does it mean that a Church has received "autonomy?"

A. 1. A Church that is autonomy is an "autonomous" church. This word comes from the Greek words that mean “self” and “law.” From these two words, it is understood to mean "one who gives oneself one's own law."

In reference to the Orthodox Church, the term "autonomous" describes a type of church body. A church that is autonomous has its highest-ranking bishop, such as an archbishop or metropolitan, appointed by the patriarch of the mother church from which it was granted its autonomy, but it is self-governing in all other respects.