Re: Finding a Spiritual Father

Thank you all for taking the time to respond. The answers are very helpful (and James, I'm sorry to hear your priest is so unresponsive. THAT would be very disheartening). I think you're right, I should just ask the question more directly of my priest. I had lunch with him yesterday and said I just wanted a "spiritual checkup" because I don't feel like Vespers, Sunday and daily prayers is enough. Unfortunately, the conversation quickly digressed to other topics. I don't know why I feel so awkward around this issue, except that I vaguely remember asking once (now I'm not even sure if it was him or an internet priest) where one got a spiritual father and being told it should be one's parish priest (though can be, as suggested by your posts, a monk or hieromonk). Anyway, I worry that I'll get in a situation where I have to say "you aren't cuttin' it" and I don't want to hurt his feelings. Still, you're correct, I need to discuss the issue with him more directly and I will.

Does anyone know if there is precedent for having a "virtual" spiritual-father? When I was exploring becoming Orthodox I met an Archimandrite on-line with whom I hit it off. We've lost touch but I've got his email and he might be willing to consider it it (IF, of course, I decide I can't make a go of it with my own priest) but I'm not sure such is even appropriate.