The relationship of spiritual Paternity in the correspondence of Barsanuphius and John of Gaza

This article by Sophie Machet focuses on the relationship of spiritual fatherhood as it manifests in the correspondence of Barsanuphius and John of Gaza, two recluse monks of the sixth century who guided numerous disciples through letters. The study adopts an analytical approach based on direct examination of the epistolary texts, with emphasis on sustained exchanges with identified interlocutors. The author shows that this relationship articulates three inseparable dimensions: a spiritual pedagogy attentive to the psychological mechanisms of the soul, a teaching centered on spiritual combat and humility, and a bond of charismatic love uniting father and spiritual child until death. The theological contribution of the article lies in its demonstration that spiritual fatherhood transcends any pedagogical or therapeutic function to constitute a charism in its own right, rooted in the Eastern monastic tradition and bearing a permanently evangelical relevance.