A '''theologian''' is generally understood to be a person who studies teaches or is educated in theology. Its root form is the word ", theology" which , is derived from the Greek: θεολογία, '' (theologia''), from θεός, (''theos'' or God , god) and λόγος or (''logos''), with the suffix ια, (''ia'', "state of," "property of," "place of"). A literal translation of the Greek word would be "to talk about God." which is what However, Orthodoxy has privileged the meaning of the term given by [[Evagrius Ponticus]] when he wrote that "If you are a theologian, you will pray truly. And if you pray truly, you are a theologian does." (''Treatise On Prayer'', 61).

Theologians use various forms of analysis and argument to help understand, explain, test, critique, defend, or promote any of many religious topics. Theology had its origin in classical Greek thought, but was given new senses within the Christian context as the Fathers of the Church, working within the Hellenistic mould, explained the meaning of the scriptures and Christ's teachings.

Among the many theologians of the Orthodox Church are a number of writers who are remembered as three [[saint|saints]]s with given the appellation ''Theologian'': [[Apostle John|John the Theologian]], [[Gregory the Theologian]], and [[Symeon the New Theologian]].

Among modern theologian are: [[Vladimir Lossky]], [[Stylianos (Harkianakis) of Australia|Stylianos (Harkianakis)]], [[Frank Schaeffer]], [[Jaroslav Pelikan]], [[Justin Popovich]], [[Alexander Schmemann]], and [[Pavel Florensky]].