On the question of the intuitions of the metaphysics of unity in the philosophical and theological heritage of archimandrite Theodore (A. M. Bukharev)

The article discusses the problem of the presence in Archimandrite Theodore (A. M. Bukharev)’s concepts that correspond to the metaphysics of pan-unity. It is noted that this problem was posed in the first decades of the twentieth century, when Bukharev’s ideas began to be perceived from the point of view of the religious and philosophical works of V. S. Solovyov and the followers of the “new religious consciousness” movement. The author of the article turns to the texts of Archimandrite Theodore, which were published in the 1860s. and to his work “My Apology,” which was written by Bukharev after his renunciation of monasticism and the priesthood. These texts reveal two main positions according to which Bukharev’s perception of Christianity and the ministry of Christ as the “Lamb of God” can be correlated with the metaphysics of pan-unity. The author notes that, firstly, in Bukharev’s system one can speak of the original and final pan-unity in Christ, and secondly, Bukharev’s concept is characterized by a weakening of the real power of evil, which here, just as in the metaphysics of pan-unity, is perceived as not capable of touching the very essence of human nature. Regarding the intuition of Sophia, characteristic of the metaphysics of pan-unity, as a reality connecting the world with God, the author believes that in Bukharev’s concept, Sophia’s intuition as a reality that connects the world with God is attributed entirely to Christ and does not have the meaning that is attached to it in V. Solovyov’s or P. Florensky’s sophiology.