Spiritual Life & Practices
Spiritual Fatherhood (Geronta/Starets)
The tradition of a spiritually experienced elder (Greek: geronta/geron; Russian: starets) who guides disciples in the spiritual life. The staretz has the gift of discernment (diakrisis): the ability to see the spiritual state of others. The relationship is one of trust, obedience, and love. Famous elders: Seraphim, Ambrose of Optina, Paisios, Porphyrios, Sophrony.
Sources
- Kallistos Ware (Metropolitan), The Inner Kingdom, Ch. 'The Spiritual Father' (SVS Press) archive.org
- Apophthegmata Patrum (on the role of the geronta) archive.org
- St. John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step 26 ('On Discernment') archive.org