Metochion

A metochion is essentially an ecclesiastical embassy, usually from one autocephalous church to another, but occasionally the term is used to refer to the parish representation of a monastery in a nearby town.

In the former case, the territorial autocephalous church grants a plot of land or a church building for the use of the church being represented, and the church is then considered to belong to that church. Services held there are often in the language appropriate to the church being represented, and the congregation is often made up of immigrants from the nation associated with that church. Typically, a metochion presence on the territory of an autocephalous church is limited to only a few parishes at most.