In 1850, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople formally granted autocephaly to the Church of Greece, a significant ecclesiastical milestone that recognized the church's independence from the Patriarchate. This decision followed the Greek War of Independence and the establishment of the modern Greek state, thereby enhancing the church's governance and role within the community. Autocephaly signified not only religious autonomy but also a fusion of national identity and Orthodox Christian faith among the Greek populace. The granting of this status was documented in an official tomos (decree) by the Patriarchate, emphasizing the theological and administrative independence of the Church of Greece from Constantinople.

The move was influenced by rising nationalist sentiments and was aimed at strengthening the ties between the Greek Orthodox Church and the newly formed nation-state. Prior to this, the church operated under the authority of the Ecumenical Patriarch, which complicated its administrative processes and ecclesiastical governance. The recognition of autocephaly allowed the Church of Greece to govern its own affairs independently, providing it with a distinctive position among other Orthodox churches.

As a result of this decree, the Church of Greece began to develop its own synodal structure and ecclesiastical governance, free from external oversight, while still maintaining a connection to the broader Orthodox Christian world. This transition marked a significant evolution in the relationship between national identity and religious authority, affirming the role of the church as a foundational element of Greek culture and unity in the post-independence era.