1) Christian term 
Autocephaly (i; from αὐτοκεφαλία, meaning self-headed) is the status of a hierarchical Christian church whose head bishop does not report to any higher-ranking bishop (used especially in Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox churches). When an ecumenical council or a high-ranking bishop, such as a patriarch or other primate, releases ...
Each of the Churches which, while retaining common tradition, are independent from Rome or any other higher ecclesiastical order
autocephaly The state of being autocephalous or having no superior authority; being self-governing.
the state of being autocephalous.