# Russian Church becomes autocephalous (1448)

URL: https://christianity-history.com/timeline/1448-russian-church-becomes-autocephalous
Location: Moscow, Russia
Themes: Schism

Russian bishops elect their own metropolitan without Constantinople's approval. At this point in the timeline (1448), the Bishop of Rome was Pope Nicholas V (6 March 1447 – 24 March 1455). His claim was contested by Antipope Felix V.

## Why it matters
Russian Church becomes autocephalous mattered because it changed the boundaries of communion between Christian churches, divisions that still shape Christianity today.

Pope at the time: [Pope Nicholas V](https://christianity-history.com/popes/pope-nicholas-v)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Russian Orthodox Church](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Orthodox_Church)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Russian Church becomes autocephalous](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Russian+Church+becomes+autocephalous)
- [Wikipedia — Medieval Church (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Catholic_Church#Middle_Ages)