For the Church Fathers and the ancient ascetics, our earthly life is nothing but a preparation for eternal life, for deification, and the means for this are given to us in ascetic exercises. Among the spiritual deeds that lead us up the steps, along the "ladder to paradise," the fathers of the ancient Church first of all proposed obedience. The very idea of spiritual guidance becomes effective and fruitful through obedience. John Climacus (f circa 650) placed his "Ladder to Paradise" on the fourth step obedience, which he defined as "burial of the will", "voluntary death", and in the highest form – "obedience unto death". "Indeed, the disciple of obedience," he says, "even if he can raise the dead, even if he has the gift of tears, always knows that this is not his merits, but his teachers."

St. Basil the Great (f 379), priest. Ephraim the Syrian (f 373) and St. 11 of Sinai (t 453) in their writings also pay special attention to spiritual guidance. "The real and perfect obedience of the subordinate to the leader," writes St. Basil the Great, "is expressed in the fact that, after the advice of the leader, one should not only refrain from all the games of the leader, but also not do anything good of one's own free will." St. Basil also says the following: "With great care and reflection, try to find someone who flawlessly walks his path of life, who is able to understand those who strive for God and who knows the Holy Scriptures deeply. And "just as God demands complete devotion from His servants, so the spiritual father demands from His subordinates, within the framework of the Law of God, obedience without November."

Pdp. St. Ephraim the Syrian, this "pillar of the Church" and "intercessor before the Holy Spirit," describes the mutual relationship between the elder and the subordinate as follows: "Brother! If any soul has trusted you, then you will drink your loins like a husband, for you are not going to an easy struggle, you have taken upon yourself the responsibility for another soul. Be also prudent in the highest steigia, for the matter requires great attention. Do not consider your work<>d" to be different, on the contrary, as leaders, we must live in all holiness with others... Elders should set an example for their subordinates in each parent. If we ourselves are dissolute, how can we teach obedience to our subordinates? If we ourselves are revelers, or drunkards, or misers, how can we then teach our subordinates temperance and patience? If we ourselves are imprudent, despondent, and irresolute, how can we teach our subordinates seriousness and constancy? Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ says: "Whoever does and teaches, the same is a great pair in the Kingdom of Heaven" (Matt. 5. 19).

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Concerning the fasting of one another we have the commandment of the Holy Spirit: "He who turns a sinner from his false way will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins" (Jas. 5. 20). Beloved, we do not even dare to judge our elders, for it is written: "Judge not, that ye be not judged" (Matt. 7. 1). A little boy cannot take such big steps as a man. If you put a burden on a child that exceeds his strength, you will make him good for nothing. It is also necessary to guide a beginner wisely, so as not to destroy his soul. Remember often how you yourself were a subordinate and a novice, and lead your pet gradually, step by step, to the heights of asceticism! If, at the end of the all-night vigil and the established cell rule, you still want to be awake, and your subordinate wants to sleep a little, then give him rest, for, as I have already said, a child cannot walk with the same steps as adults. If he is of weak build, do not push him away from you, but sympathize with him with patience, as an understanding peasant takes care of a good plant. Use all possible diligence to present his body as a living sacrifice pleasing to God, so that you do not deserve condemnation with those of whom the Apostle said to have a form of godliness, but whose powers have been denied (cf. 2 Tim. 3. 5). Instruct your pupil in virtuous exercises, for it is written: "If thou shalt extract the precious from the insignificant, thou shalt be as my mouth" (Jer. 15. 19). If worldly educators use all their care for the education of a child's soul and do it for a salary received from parents, then how much more should perfect elders have patience when studying with the weak for the sake of the Lord... Those who pass from a vain and tedious worldly life to a lonely life should not be proud and arrogant, but should show meekness and humility, constantly remembering the mercy of God, which brought them out of this vain world, so that the words of the Psalm could not be applied to them: "A man in honor is not understanding, be gathered together with senseless beasts, and be made like them" (Psalm 48:13).

Thus, beloved, let us all serve the Lord with constant humility throughout our entire lives, so that the Lord, raising up the poor from the earth, and exalting the poor from festering (Ps. 112:7), He has settled us on earth, meek and humble, beholding the splendor of God, as it is written: "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (Jas. 4. 6). To Him be the glory forever. Amen."

Hegumen Dorotheos (f 620), who himself went through a long school of ascetic obedience with Elder Serid, says in his remarkable spiritual conversations: "Just as two horses in one harness cannot move without the other, so obedience needs humility to be associated with it. In any case, the grace-filled height of the virtue of humility will not be attained if one does not cut off one's own will, entrusting oneself to a spiritual guide. We must not deviate from obedience to him and do everything with the conviction that through the spiritual father the will of God is fulfilled."

"One's own will is a brass wall standing between God and people; A person guided by his own will is like a weather vane spinning in different directions." "People without leadership fall like leaves from an autumn tree; healing is where there is more advice."

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"If you are in the position of a subordinate, never trust your Heart. Old attachments make you blind. Do not follow Your judgment in anything. Do not stubbornly think that your opinion is smarter or more correct than the opinion of your boss. Do not condemn his actions. Otherwise, you will fall into error." "Obedience and discipline of one's own will can save even from mortal danger."

Pdp. Anthony the Great (circa 356) left us some memorable sayings:

"If you see a young monk rushing into the sky of his own free will, grab him firmly by the legs, pull him downwards, for such an aspiration is harmful to him." "Love your spiritual fathers more than your parents, because they care to bring you to God." "Zhipn so that the spiritual fathers who begat you may rejoice in heaven in the assembly of saints."

The story of Dorotheus and Dositheus gives a beautiful picture of the mutual relationship between the elder and the disciple:

"The memory of God was constantly in the heart of Dositheus. Dorotheus taught him to always repeat the prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on me! Son of God, help me!" When he fell ill, Dorotheus said to him: "Think about your prayer. Beware lest you lose it!" Dositheus answered: "I will do so. Pray for me." When Dositheus felt worse, Dorotheus asked him: "Son, how is the matter with prayer, do you perform it?" Thanks to your prayers." When Dogithea became even more difficult, Dorotheus asked him: "How about prayer, Dositheus?" To this Dositheus replied: "Forgive me, father! I can no longer pray!" Dorotheus answered: "Then stop praying! Only keep the memory of God and do not forget that He is with You." The sick man suffered greatly and said to his father: "Forgive me, I can no longer do it!" To this Dorotheus replied: "Be patient a little longer, Son, God's mercy is near!" With the appearance of dawn, Dositheus said to Dorotheus: "Father, I can no longer do it!" Stand before the Most Holy Trinity and intercede for us!"