Influence of the ideas of V. S. Soloviev and Priest Pavel Florensky on the formation of theological views of Archpriest Sergei Bulgakov

The object of research in this work is the theological views of Archpriest Sergey Bulgakov, which were shaped by the ideas of philosopher Vladimir Solovyov and priest Pavel Florensky. The relevance of the topic is due to a significant interest in Russian religious and philosophical thought of the early 20th century, as well as its role in the development of modern Orthodox theology. The purpose of the study is to identify how Bulgakov perceived the doctrine of Sophia, the Wisdom of God, borrowed from V. S. Solovyov, and also to determine the influence of criticism and processing of these ideas by Father Pavel Florensky. The main method used is comparative historical analysis, which makes it possible to trace the evolution of Bulgakov’s views from an initial fascination with Solovyov’s ideas to a more independent theological synthesis. As a result, it was established that in the early period of his work, Father Sergius borrowed the fundamental theses of unity and sophiology from V. S. Solovyov, but then, faced with their “editing” from Father Pavel Florensky, he changed his perception and adapted them to his own system. The findings can be applied in studies on theology and Russian religious philosophy of the 20th century. The author comes to the conclusion that the most mature works of Archpriest Sergey Bulgakov demonstrate a critical rethinking and “purification” of borrowed ideas, characterized by greater precision of terminology and theological balance.

archpriest Sergius Bulgakov, priest Pavel Florensky, V. S. Solovyov, “vseedinstvo”, sophiology