“In our image, after our likeness”: theological understanding of life on earth and in the universe

The article studies the attitude of ancient philosophers and Christian Ancient Church theologians to the possibility of the existence of extraterrestrial intelligent life. A historical retrospective of the writings of ancient authors who considered the possibility of the existence of extraterrestrial worlds and their intelligent inhabitants and theological polemics on this topic is carried out. The doctrine of the Orthodox Church about the nature of man is considered. The problem of comparing man with possible intelligent extraterrestrial beings, the possibility of them having the image of God inherent in man, their attitude to the fall and the need for salvation are discussed. Further, the theological controversy about the possibility of the usurpation of the near-Earth air space by the fallen angels is considered and the fallacy of this opinion is shown. It is concluded that the Earth is an exceptional place in space, the Incarnation is an exceptional event in the history of the Universe, and man is of exceptional importance in its destiny.