spiritual father

UK Romanian priest calls for dialogue between theology and psychology in addressing mental health

“A spiritual father needs to distinguish between a mental disorder and a spiritual disturbance,” Father Justin Mihoc said in an interview for the Hristocentric project, underlining the need for dialogue between theology and psychology in contemporary society. Father Justin Mihoc is the parish priest of the Romanian community in Durham, in northern England. He is…

Jan 15, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

New spiritual fathers urged by Patriarch Daniel not to give advice based on their own opinion: Say what is written in the Gospel

On Wednesday, Patriarch Daniel invested fourteen priests as confessors (spiritual fathers) in the Archdiocese of Bucharest, offering them several recommendations for their new spiritual role, including avoiding personal opinions. The event took place in the “St. George the Great Martyr” Chapel at the Patriarchal Residence. His Beatitude emphasized that confessors should enlighten the faithful with…

Dec 5, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Andrei at Cluj monastic synaxis: Asceticism does not weaken the body but rather strengthens it

On Thursday, His Eminence Metropolitan Andrei presided over the synaxis of monastics from the Archdiocese of Vad, Feleac, and Cluj, held at the “Protection of the Mother of God” Monastery in Florești. The gathering began with the Divine Liturgy, celebrated by Assistant Bishop Benedict of Bistrița. In his opening address at the monastic synaxis, Metropolitan…

Oct 11, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

The role of the spiritual father in healing addictions: Insights from Jean-Claude Larchet

The renowned French Orthodox theologian Jean-Claude Larchet discussed the importance of the spiritual father in the healing process of addictions in an interview published in the 17th issue of the “Words to Young People” magazine by Putna Monastery. The importance of relationships in healing addictions When asked, “How important is the relationship with a person…

Aug 7, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel confers ecclesiastical awards to priests as token of recognition for their ministry and dedication

On Wednesday, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel blessed twelve priests to become confessors (spiritual fathers) and elevated nine hieromonks to the rank of protosyncellus during a special ceremony at the historic Chapel of Saint George at the Patriarchal Residence. His Beatitudes addressed the clergy about confessors’ responsibility to exercise discernment in their pastoral duties, saying, “A…

Aug 2, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel invests new spiritual fathers with ‘apostolic power to remit sins’

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel invested seven priests from the Archdiocese of Bucharest with ‘the apostolic power’ to retain and remit sins during a special ceremony held at St George’s Chapel at the patriarchal residence on Thursday, December 10, 2020. “The Holy Apostles received from the Saviour Jesus Christ, on the day of His Resurrection, the…

Dec 11, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel says spiritual guidance is a holy work of balance, which avoids extremes

Patriarch Daniel invested six new spiritual fathers during a blessing service held at the Chapel of St George at the patriarchal residence on Wednesday, December 9, 2020. “This holy work is a work of balance. A good spiritual father avoids extremes; he avoids relativism or laxity and exaggerated rigour,” said the Patriarch. “If we say,…

Dec 11, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Archim. Zacharias Zacharou: Pandemic as going out in the Desert. Christ is with us there by calling upon His Name

Archimandrite Zacharias Zacharou from “St John the Baptist” Monastery in Essex, Great Britain, has sent spiritual advice to the faithful who are panicked by the current coronavirus epidemic. He gives the answer to the question how to face a possible interruption of the celebration of the Divine Liturgy? We should use this time for spiritual…

Mar 20, 2020Ștefana Totorcea

Confessors invested in Bucharest | Patriarch Daniel: ‘Confession is spiritual medicine’

Fifteen priests from the Archdiocese of Bucharest received Wednesday the blessing for the ministry of spiritual fathers at the St George Chapel of the Patriarchal Residence. His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of Romania, performed March 1 the ordination (cheirothesia) of the new spiritual fathers. In his speech delivered at the end of the service, Patriarch Daniel…

Mar 2, 2017Aurelian Iftimiu

Archbishop Justinian remembered 40 days after passing away. Metropolitan Andrei: He was a great spiritual father, who guided many faithful on the path to God

His Eminence Andrei, Metropolitan of Cluj, Maramureş and Sălaj, addressed Thursday, 8 December 2016, the faithful present at Rohia Monastery to commemorate Archbishop Justinian Chira. He was a great spiritual father, who guided many faithful on the path to God, His Eminence said. Metropolitan Andrei delivered a homily after the Divine Liturgy and the memorial…

Dec 9, 2016Aurelian Iftimiu