Christian angelology in pseudo-Dionysius and Sergius Bulgakov

This thesis aims to explore the different theological languages employed by Pseudo-Dionysius and Sergius Bulgakov to express their respective ideas about angels. Although Bulgakov provides a number of references to Pseudo-Dionysius and draws on his ideas extensively, no single study exists dedicated to Bulgakovâs appropriation of Pseudo-Dionysius. We argue that in order to engage fully with Bulgakovâs ideas there is a need to approach his texts not as sui generis theological or philosophical system but as an interpretation of traditional Christian theology as found in scriptural, liturgical and patristic sources. The main difference between these two approaches is that, while the former envisages only one logical level â the logic of the whole system (otherwise the system would disintegrate), the latter presupposes a parallel existence in the same text (or body of texts) of two distinct logical levels â the logic of that which is being interpreted, and the logic of the interpreter (the âmetalanguageâ). We also argue that the same approach can be applied to the analysis of the Corpus Dionysiacum. Thus, we distinguish three different theological languages in the writings on angels by Pseudo-Dionysius and Bulgakov. In Part 1 of the thesis we begin the reconstruction of their angelologies by analysing their respective metalanguages of hierarchy and Sophia. In Part 2, we proceed by engaging with the philosophical language of nature and hypostasis in both authors. In the final chapters of the thesis, in Part 3, we turn to the most fundamental level, which is referred to as the language of anthropology. This language is based on the immediate human experience of angels â the manner in which angels are depicted in the Bible, in visions and accounts of mystic experiences. We demonstrate that the anthropological and philosophical languages are continually reinterpreted by Pseudo-Dionysius in his metalanguage of hierarchy, and by Bulgakov in his metalanguage of Sophiology.