The theology of the icon in P. Evdokimov
Article summary proposed by the Contacts review with LLM assistance
This article by Alexandre Musin, a researcher at the Saint Petersburg Academy of Sciences, focuses on the theology of the icon developed by Paul Evdokimov in his work *L'Art de l'icône : théologie de la beauté* (1970). The study adopts a comparative and historical approach, setting Evdokimov's thought against that of his predecessors, notably Leonid Ouspensky and Prince Trubetskoy. The central idea is that Evdokimov goes beyond classical iconology, which is positivist and dogmatic in nature, by proposing a theology of beauty grounded in the Incarnation and an apophatic dimension. Rather than breaking the icon down into symbolic elements, he situates it within a metahistorical and ecclesial perspective. The contribution of the article is to show that Evdokimov usefully complements Ouspensky by offering a synthesis more deeply rooted in the patristic tradition, reconciling created beauty and salvation, and restoring to the icon its function as witness rather than doctrinal exposition.
This article has not been translated yet — it is available in its French version here.
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