The theology of St. Hilarion (Troitsky; 1886-1929)

The article covers the main contours of the theology of the Holy Martyr Hilarion (Troitsky; 1886-1929). Its core is the idea of an integrated vision of three areas of dogmatic thought: triadology, soteriology and ecclesiology. At the same time, it is ecclesiology that is the main subject of his attention, while triadology and soteriology become, in his understanding, unique aspects of the doctrine of the Church. Such an attitude will become an important support for subsequent theologians of the 20th century, who will be occupied with the problem of developing the ecclesiology of catholicity, that is, the dogmatic doctrine of the Church proper. The thought of the Holy Martyr Hilarion is formed against the background of the efforts of Russian theology to free itself from the influence of heterodox school theology, which took place at least at the level of external forms. Thus, the Holy Martyr Hilarion acts as the most prominent critic of Catholic influence; as a result, there are certain excesses in his theological thought, connected, in particular, with the criticism of legal approaches to understanding the Atonement, as well as some interpretations in the field of soteriology. On the other hand, the ideas of the Holy Martyr Hilarion, connected with the hypostasis of the Church, its historical development, as well as the concept of the boundaries of the Church, representing a certain level of development of ecclesiological thought of our time, deserve special attention.