Părintele duhovnicesc – un adevărat medic de suflete
The spiritual father - a true doctor of souls

Author(s): Marius Ionuț Haba
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Theology and Religion
Published by: Editura Doxologia
Keywords: healing; confession; watchfulness; repentance; humble spirit;
Summary/Abstract: The confessor is a spiritual physician, serving as a minister of the Holy Mysteries with the stated1 aim of healing the penitent. Having this great calling, the spiritual father must lead an angelic life so that he may be able to comfort and give really helpful advice to his spiritual children. Only the man who has struggled with sin and reached the heights of spiritual maturity, can truly be adviser for those who are at the beginning of their journey. Now, as regards the Sacrament of Confession, especially on its psychotherapeutical side, the spiritual father is supposed to be adorned in virtue, that is to be humble, to repent for his sins at all times and to have (positive2) vigilance by exercising the spiritual discipline of watchfulness. The unceasing vigilance is imperative because only by having control over his thoughts and senses, he can walk the path of an authentic spiritual ascent (and thus inspire his disciples). As for genuine repentance, from the perspective of a spiritual father, it beseemeth any priest to continually wail over his sins and to keep working out, day after day, his own salvation (Philippians 2:12). A humble spirit is a crucial trait in the Orthodox psychotherapy given that, before anyone else, Christ Himself was humble, and so this is the virtue helping more than anything a spiritual guide to be realistic and understand that God’s will works through him.

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