Both of you : Greetings with the Dread Feast of St John the Baptist today
It is GOOD that you are bringing up problems that many people may also have. That way our readers will be able to see themselves more clearly and consider whatever options are open for them.
I find these discussions as highly useful because MANY people have similar difficulties along this challenging path.
Right, we all have to remember that Priests are wonderful to have chosen their vocations. BUT, not all are going to be so advanced souls.
Some have a gift for public speaking and drawing in converts from across the board. But the same priests may not be the wisest spiritual advisers.
They all will have their strengths and weaknesses.
Don't be discouraged, Philaret, because you may have run into a few less talented ones at counseling their spiritual children or parish members.
The best advice may be that you will FEEL you are in the right place when you walk in the door and/or speak with the Priest at a particular parish.
It might take awhile
But i don't have any fear because i am not involved with the GOC-K on any level to say outright that it's a good jurisdiction to avoid while Met Demetrios is still the chief hierarch.
Later maybe, but there are too many factors to know what direction things will take later.
Don't let your wife go ! Especially not over some inapplicable counseling from - perhaps it was - a new priest with too little experience ?
The clergy know a lot about SOME topics but they are not experts on every subject, naturally.
The New Holy Mountain Fathers
Moderator: Mark Templet