Spiritual Direction
A spiritual father is a guide and physician of the soul.
Orthodox tradition strongly encourages every Christian to have a spiritual father (or mother) — an experienced confessor who knows their soul, guides their prayer rule, advises in moral and spiritual struggles, and provides accountability. This relationship, rooted in the ancient monastic tradition, is not therapy or counselling, though it may encompass aspects of both. The spiritual father does not replace God — he points toward God, speaks from experience, and helps the person discern the movements of the Holy Spirit from those of the ego and the enemy. Beginning seekers should not be anxious if they do not yet have a spiritual father: regular confession with any available Orthodox priest is the ordinary beginning of this relationship.