Spiritual Formation as an Art

Abstract In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, the spiritual formation of a Christian is the art of seeking holiness and union with God through the ministry of spiritual fatherhood (and motherhood), whereby the spiritual guide rekindles and keeps alive the baptismal grace of the disciple through the mysteries (sacraments) of the Church, God-inspired words and personal example. This article evinces some quintessential aspects of the ancient Christian practices of spiritual direction and formation and their current bearing on adult faith formation in the Eastern Orthodox tradition, the focus being on spiritual formation carried out through a Spirit-led spiritual father – spiritual son/daughter relationship. An overview of the tradition is provided, from St Paul through to the monastic tradition, closing with the example of a contemporary model.