The concept of human as in the theology of the early Christian fathers of the eastern church in the period from the 2nd century to the beginning of the 4th century

The article examines the representation of the Eastern Church by the early Christian fathers and teachers of the 2nd - early 4th century of man as μικρός κόσμος. This study is based on the patristic literature of this era. The following facts are used as the main arguments for describing humancentricity: the creation of man and his representation as λογικὸν ζῶον (intelligent life), the significance of the resurrection of the human body and the idea of the spirit in human nature. A special place is given to the soul, its ability to become immortal due to the simplicity and dynamism of its nature. The simplicity and dynamism of the soul regulates the change of death in man, which is reflected in the entire created world. The conclusions reached by the author in this article show that a man created in a special way is intelligent life capable of changing not only his “I”, but the entire created world. His immortal soul has a special quality to revive human nature, which is reflected in his body. The ability to regulate death in one’s nature is also reflected in the entire created world. This factor regulating death is not just a spiritual potential - it is a spirit that lives in the soul and is a link between God and man. All this ultimately allows us to speak of man as the center of the entire universe, representing him as μικρός κόσμος.