The Church Hierarchy in an Eschatological Perspective following the Works of the Holy Fathers and the Ecclesiastical Writers

Abstract

The article provides an overview and an analysis of the quite rare references in the Church writings of the I–XX centuries to the future eschatological state of the Church hierarchy and the afterlife of its members, as well as the principles by which the Divine Judgment will be performed on them. The author concludes from the collected material of Church writings that the Church hierarchy in its current form, functions and composition will not be preserved entirely in the eternal life of the Kingdom of Heaven, but will be transformed in accordance with the degree (which was achieved in earthly life) of pious fulfi llment of hierarchical service to God, the pre servation of the Orthodoxy and the personal holiness of its members.