what he has been doing, and ways to change his life, so that he shall not repeat his sin.
Penance is intended to deepen and increase the penitentÁ-?s regret for what he has done,
and to strengthen the desire of his will for correction. The Apostle says, Á-°For godly
sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented ofÁ-? (II Cor. 7:10). This is
upheld by the canons of the Ecumenical Councils and the teaching of the Fathers, who
describe penance as a means of spiritual treatment to cure the diseases of the soul. The
102nd canon of the Sixth Ecumenical Council says: Á-°The character of a sin must be
considered from all points and conversion expected. And so let mercy be meted out.Á-?
guidance of a spiritual father in Á-°the opening of thoughtsÁ-? which is still used, especially
in some monastic communities, but is something quite different from confession. The
telling of oneÁ-?s thoughts and actions before a spiritual elder, from whom one seeks moral
guidance, has a vast psychological significance. It is very useful for moral training, the
correction of bad inclinations and habits, and the overcoming of doubts and
indecisiveness. In some monasteries this is practiced daily, but it is not a course to be
entered upon lightly. Bishop Ignatius Brianchaninov says, Á-°An indispensable condition of
such submission is a Spirit-bearing guide, who by the will of the Spirit can mortify the
fallen will of the person subject to him in the Lord, and can mortify all the passions as
well.Á-? And he issues dire warnings about heeding Á-°EldersÁ-? falsely so-called. Nonetheless,
some writers (notably Prof. Andreyev) suggest that some form of Á-°opening of the
thoughtsÁ-? can form part of Christian family life, so that husband and wife open their
thoughts to each other each day. Of course such a practice is far removed from the
spiritual discipline of Eldership of which Bishop Ignatius writes. Either way, this type of
spiritual guidance, although very beneficial when rightly ordered, does not have the
significance of a mystery or grace-bearing Church rite like confession, which is why
confession itself, the sacrament of penitence, can take place only before a priest.
London, England.