This book narrates the brilliant course of Orthodox theology during the 20th century through the work and contributions of seventeen theologians who aimed to contribute productively and creatively, on the one hand, to highlighting its distinctive features and, on the other hand, to renewing its relationship with the modern world and culture. These theological portraits express the main currents that shaped 20th-century theology. However, it is not merely a record and reflection of the history of 20th-century theology, but primarily an attempt to interpret, from the perspective of systematic theology, the course and issues of 20th-century theology in order to connect it directly with our own era.

The theological portraits of the 20th century are not a historical refuge or a form of escape from our reality. On the contrary, after recognizing the achievements, gaps, ruptures, and discontinuities of 20th-century theology, we need to identify the needs and set the priorities of our own era. This book is primarily addressed to 21st-century theologians who wish to creatively study the successes and failures of Orthodox theology in the 20th century so as to continue its fruitful and creative work and to critically build their own expression and testimony. In this perspective, it is indeed true that “the history of theology nourishes theology,” and each theological generation strives to embody its own distinctive mark.