View source for List of autocephalous and autonomous churches

[[Image:World canonical territories.png|right|thumb|600px|Map of the canonical territories of autocephalous and autonomous Orthodox jurisdictions ("churches"). Where a certain territory is disputed (either between two different churches or one church claims it as its territory while others consider it part of the diaspora), it is shown shaded. Click image to magnify.]]
[[Image:Europe canonical territories.png|right|thumb|200px|The European section of the above map, in closer detail. Click image to magnify.]]
The '''[[autocephaly|autocephalous]] and [[autonomy|autonomous]] Orthodox churches''' are those churches (i.e. [[jurisdiction]]s) which have self-government. These jurisdictions are united in doctrine and worship, they recognize each other as canonical, they are in [[full communion]], and together they constitute ''the Orthodox Church''. The use of the term "churches" to refer to the various jurisdictions is informal; strictly speaking, they are just parts of the One Church, the Orthodox Church.

The fact that these jurisdictions are in full communion with each other means that they recognize each other as parts of the Orthodox Church. However, it does not necessarily mean that they agree about each other's precise ''rank'' or ''status'' within the Church. The autocephaly or autonomy of several bodies is disputed. This means that there is a disagreement about whether the bodies in question are self-governing or not. So, for example, some consider the Orthodox Church in America to be self-governing, while others consider it to be a part of the Church of Russia.

As a result, there are two ways to make a list of autocephalous and autonomous churches. The first way is to list only the jurisdictions that are ''universally'' recognized as self-governing. This may be called the "minimal list", and it is used in most inter-Orthodox gatherings. The second way is to list all those jurisdictions that are recognized as self-governing by ''at least one'' other jurisdiction.

Groups that are ''not'' in communion with the mainstream Orthodox Church, such as some of the [[Old Calendarists]], are excluded from both versions of the list.