Archpriest Sergey Bulgakov's theology of history

This article systematically examines the most important layer of the theological system of Archpriest Sergey Bulgakov - the theology of history. His teaching, traditionally known as “sophiology”, earned widespread criticism in the theological environment of his contemporaries due to the vulnerability of a number of basic provisions contained, so it remained in the shadow of academic church thought for a long time, despite its valuable contribution. Meanwhile, the contribution of Archpriest Sergey Bulgakov to the field of theology of history is perhaps the most valuable aspect of his legacy. The latest research shows the continuity of the directions of historical and theological thought laid down by him with the key ideas of such outstanding theologians of the XX century as archimandrite Sophrony (Sakharov) and archpriest Dumitru Staniloe. The problems of correlating intra-trinitarian life and history, identifying the subjects of the historical process, the integrity of historical life, the relations of freedom and regularity in history, historical typology, the kenoticism and ambivalence of the historical life of the Church and the world, the antinomy of historical formation, the balanced relationship of historical and eschatological theology, and a number of others characterize this continuity, extending through generations and up to our time.