What is the role of a spiritual father
Feb
28
2017
A spiritual father, like a signpost, merely indicates the way; but you yourself must follow the path.
Based on Saint Nikon of Optina
In this photo Abbot Ephraim is giving loving counsel to one of the monks. Beside him is a student from the Athoniada Academy on Mount Athos.
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eduard/j
Omul fara duhovnic, este ca oul fara coaja.
Post cu pace, cu Spor si ROD in tot ceea ce faceti!
Iertati si blagosloviti, Eduard si j.
RiffRaffWL111
I know everyone says you NEED a spiritual father. However, this is not always possible, in which case then only God himself can fulfill this role. Perhaps progress is not as quick, but still there is progress, in silence listening for the knock on the door to eat with the Lord. I believe the same is true of practicing the Jesus Prayer – they say you absolutely need a guide. But I would rather make slow progress without a guide than no progress at all. Of course, despondency and the ways of error can come your way, but they can also come to person with a guide. God help us! His grace.
Ioan Toma
Do what you can, but of course „you NEED a spiritual father”. 🙂 You can, for example, go few times a year to an Elder and confess to him. It will make a big difference.
Orthodox
Thank you for your comment.
You already have told us in this excellent website that Orthodox Christians must choose an individual to trust as his spiritual guide. This individual must be a parish priest, but may be an Elder (a starets – in Russian language) who is well known for his or her advancement in the spiritual life, who has received permission from a bishop to hear confession. This person is often referred to as one’s “Spiritual Father”.
Thanks a lot for your lessons to bring us more near with God.
God Bless You Forever!
Orthodox
Sorry for the pronoun “her’ I wrote by mistake.
Spiritual Father who is a priest and have permission by a bishop to hear confessions is a man.
Have a Blessed Time Forever!
e.s.
The Late the Very Rev. Dr. Fr. Thomas Hopko (March 28, 1939 – March 18, 2015) was an Eastern Orthodox Christian Priest and Theologian. He was The Dean Emeritus of Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, Crestwood, Yonkers, New York, in the United States from September 1992 until July 1, 2002 and taught dogmatic theology there from 1968 until 2002.
In the Article “Preparation for Holy Communion” of the Very Rev. Dr. Fr. Thomas Hopko at “http://holycrossoca.org/newslet/0611b.html”, the Very Rev. Dr. Fr. Thomas Hopko wrote:
The general disciplines for preparing for holy communion are the disciplines of Christian life itself. They are the practices which keep us alive to God, the actions which open our minds, hearts and bodies to the presence of God s grace and power in our lives. They basically include:
…
– Regular Confession of sins (and thoughts, feelings, temptations and dreams) to:
1. Our Pastor, or to
2. SOMEONE WHOM OUR PASTOR AUTHORIZES AND BLESSES FOR THIS PURPOSE”.
The website “PEMPTOUSIA.COM” have many references by the Very Rev. Dr. Fr. Thomas Hopko.
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