Protological and Eschatological Aspects of Ecclesiology in the 2nd Epistle to the Corinthians of St. Clement of Rome

Abstract

Alexander Alexandrov, Protological and Eschatological Aspects of Ecclesiology in the 2nd Epistle to the Corinthians of St. Clement of Rome. St. Clement of Rome asserts that the Church was created before the Sun and the Moon. This view aligns with the understanding of the Church Fathers that Eschatology, as the end, is closely connected to Protology, as the beginning. Moreover, Eschatology, as the final Omega point, determines Protology, which represents the Alpha point of the beginning. The Church is an entity that guides and sustains all creation from its very inception to its ultimate end and restoration, transforming and perfecting it. At the same time, the reality of the Church is ontologically distinct from this world. The Church serves as the axis of the old aeon and marks the beginning of the new one.