Finding a Spiritual Father/Mother (Where are the Eastern ones?)part1

     Recently, I read a post on Father Maximos Davies’ blog concerning spiritual parenthood. This topic concerns one of the cornerstones of Eastern Spirituality. In fact many Eastern Fathers taught that finding  a spiritual Father or Mother was essential. The question that we face in the Eastern Catholic spiritual renewal is: where are these spiritual leaders?
      The Eastern Christian spiritual tradition rests on the monastic. As John Paul II pointed out in Orientale Lumen “Monasticism has always been the very soul of the Eastern Churches”. There is no substitution for the bond between Eastern Christians, clergy and laity, and the monastics. It could be said that in the monastic tradition the Eastern Christian receives their spiritual foundation and nurishment.

      In the spiritual centers like Mt. Athos or the Optina Monastery we find the monastics dedicating their whole lives to our Eastern traditions. This dedication becomes open to pilgrims that come and seek spiritual guidance. As a result, spiritual parenthood is extended beyond the walls of the monastery giving nourishment to the whole Church.

     Father Maximos brought attention to fact that many of us read the Orthodox spiritual literature from these places mentioned above and think that the Orthodox have the answer. However, they have the same struggles that Eastern Catholics do in the West. I once asked for guidance in the Athonite tradition of Hesychasm from a local Orthodox monastery. They told me to go to Mt. Athos. It was evident to me that they did not have what I was looking for. In my opinion, the spiritual traditions that we have preserved in places like Mt. Athos are the reasons why many people enter Eastern Christianity. To lose these elements means we lose who we are.
     Bishop John Kudrick of the Eparchy of Parma seeing this need in our Eastern Churches started laying the foundation for Eastern style monastic communities, which he said are “based on the spirit of Orientale Lumen." He goes on to mention that the monasteries will take the leadership to rediscover Eastern Spirituality, even the model of spiritual Fatherhood in the monastery. In emphasis, these elements that he mentions seem to have been neglected as a result of latinization or even secularization .click to read the Eparch's full text
     Most of what we read, in regard to spiritual parenthood, in the classical Eastern spiritual literature is in the context of the monastic community itself. In these relationships we find the ideal of what spiritual parenthood is. The ideal of course does not mean we have access to the reality. In fact, these kinds of relationships that we read about are very hard to come by, especially the ones that involve authentic Eastern spirituality.
     The monastery that I contacted might be right in telling me to go to Mt. Athos. What I was looking for was to find spiritual direction in our Eastern Spiritual traditions from a monk living them. A relationship that our heritage deems essential for those wanting to grow in their spiritual life. I believe many people are searching for these kinds of relationships, even the Orthodox. However, we have to take what God gives us. We need to take the ideal and become willing to accept new models of spiritual accountability.
    We may never have access to the ideal relationships that we would like to see in this regard. On the other hand, we do have the Eastern “Fathers and Mothers” teachings. St. Seraphim said, “When I am dead, come to me at my grave, and the more often the better. Whatever is in your soul, whatever may have happened to you, come to me as when I was alive and kneeling on the ground, cast all your bitterness upon my grave. Tell me everything and I shall listen to you, and all the bitterness will fly away from you. And as you spoke to me when I was alive, do so now. For I am living and I shall be forever." His invitation to us can be said of all our Eastern saints. Even though they have been gone from the physical world they remain with us in the Spirit. Still interceding for us and still teachings us through their writings. It’s hard to go wrong when much of what they say is repent, fast, pray unceasingly, and love your neighbor. In my estimation these few instructions make up 90% of the Philokalia.
     Most of the time I find myself living off the Philokalia. I hope to one day find a spiritual Father living our traditions. However, I have met many holy and pious teachers of God’s love in my pilgrimage. If you find a good teacher in either a lay person or parish priest you should be thankful. By chance if you come across one that is a source of wisdom in our Eastern Christian tradition consider yourself blessed.

to read part 2 click (here)