Hypothetical character of archpriest Sergei Bulgakov’s sophiological ecclesiology

The article considers the sophiological doctrine of the Church by Archpriest S. Bulgakov, based on several ecclesiological sources (“The Bride of the Lamb”, “The Grace Covenants of St. Sergius to Russian Theology”, “Orthodoxy. Essays on the Teachings of the Orthodox Church”, “Chapters on the Trinity”, etc.). It shows how important the connective sophiological concept is in the field of ecclesiological constructions, and also focuses on the hypothetical nature of his ecclesiology. Archpriest S. Bulgakov proposed a number of hypotheses that require disclosure, proof and discussion in the theological sphere. Many of Fr. Sergei’s ecclesiological intuitions are developing in our time in such fields as ecotheology, the problem of the Church hierarchy, Mariology, trinitarian ontology, theology of history, etc. In addition, the article suggests a possible way out of two conflicting positions: that of Archpriest G. Florovsky (who focused on Christology in the issue of deification of the human person in the Church) and that of Vladimir Lossky (who was criticized by Archpriest G. Florovsky for shifting the focus in the case of deification to the economy of the Holy Spirit). Archpriest S. Bulgakov suggests that both aspects are inseparably important and mutually complementary, thereby emphasizing the antinomic character in the field of ecclesiology inherent in theology as such. The difference of Fr. G. Florovsky and Fr. S. Bulgakov’s approaches to the issue of ecumenical movement is also shown, namely, the two main ecumenical paths that the Church has followed are identified, the analysis of which is required to comprehend the challenges of modernity. And those ecumenical difficulties that have arisen on the path proposed by Archpriest G. Florovsky, encourage us to turn to the point of view of Archpriest S. Bulgakov, who, having a number of shortcomings, can offer solutions to the problems of overcoming the modern ecclesiological crisis among the Local Orthodox Churches. Archpriest S. Bulgakov’s sophiological ecclesiology is a complex, little-researched and relevant field that is being actively studied today.