Keywords: Orthodox Spirituality, spiritual father, confession, repentance, canon, Constantin Galeriu
Abstract:
The true priest can be properly known only in the Confession chair, for in this sacred and confidential place the priest can value his spiritual dowry, inner feeling, pastoral fervour, theological culture and spiritual experience. Father Lecturer Constantin Galeriu attained all these qualities in the highest level. He was the one who knew how to approach the soul of the penitent with his warm voice, full of emotion and kindness, by which he would engross you, persuading you to open your inner self and communicate sincerely with him, without reserve and without being overwhelmed by a feeling of embarrassment, shame or doubt. Father inspired trust, calm, quietness, spiritual relief and convincingness. His sweet and wise voice, his serene face and clear, fatherly look made one to recognize his/her spiritual state, to be aware of the consequences of the sin and impose oneself an authentic Christian life style, following the Philocalic principles. Father would argue his conversation with the penitents on the basis of biblical texts and edifying words of the Holy Fathers, which he used to read easily from memory. His advice and moral teachings had echoes, could penetrate deeply in the soul and awakened feelings of repentance because of the sin, who the petrified hearts and darkened minds. Father Lecturer was not only a learned theologian, but a good psychologist, for he knew how to analyse the spiritual state of man, to treat every penitent in his/her unique quality of character and individuality, to stimulate repentance, to disclose the soul’s mysteries and apply the most efficacious means of moral therapy. His heightening and sublime word became norm and guidance, because it manages to bewilder and redress you. You could feel that God spoke through his attitude and winged verb, so that any man who listened to him, would change the prospect of life and “went down to his house justified rather than the other” (Luke 18, 14). The wonderful image of this experienced spiritual father and famous teacher of Theology will remain alive to posterity and will shine over times as a luminous lighthouse and a holy emblem, after the model of whom entire generations of spiritual shepherds and ardent confessors of the Truth will frame their life. From his holiness we too learned to behave as authentic fathers and spiritual doctors of the faithful.
Pages: 41-56