Fatherhood in the Ancient FaithSýnishorn

The Responsibility of Fatherhood

Today, we will focus on both the importance of nurturing our children as well as our responsibilities in providing for their physical and emotional needs. In the ancient faith of the Orthodox Church, fatherhood is seen as a sacred responsibility. Fathers are called to be the spiritual leaders of their families, guiding them in the ways of God and passing on the faith to the next generation.

As fathers, we provide leadership and initiative in our households; we have the responsibility to guide our children on the path of righteousness and to teach them about the teachings of the Church, the lives of the saints, and the importance of prayer and worship. By doing so, we help to shape their character and guide them on the path of righteousness.

In 1 Timothy 5:8, we read, "But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." As fathers, it is our responsibility to provide for our families and ensure that their physical needs are met; however, it is equally important that we nurture our children emotionally and spiritually.

The early church father, St. Clement of Alexandria, wrote in his work "The Instructor," that the father should be gentle with his children, and the children should be loving to the father, and he further instructs that the father should give the command and let the children obey cheerfully. This is a reminder that we should not only provide for our children's physical needs but also love them and guide them with gentleness and patience.

In Deuteronomy 6:4-9 we read, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

Fatherhood comes with great responsibility and we are called to teach our children about God's love and His ways. In Deuteronomy 6, God commands us to love Him with all our heart, soul, and strength, and to diligently teach His commandments to our children. We are to talk about God's ways with our children in every moment of our lives, whether sitting, walking, lying down, or rising up. This shows us that being a father is not just a role we play, but a way of life we must embrace fully.

In the writings of the Early Church Fathers, we see a similar emphasis on the responsibility of fatherhood. St. John Chrysostom writes in his work "Homilies on Ephesians," "It is not enough to feed and clothe your children. You must teach them about God and instruct them in the faith." We see here that fatherhood is not just about meeting physical needs, but also about nurturing our children's spiritual growth. As fathers, we can take seriously the responsibility to teach our children about God's love and to instill in them a desire to know Him more.

Fathers have a unique opportunity to shape the spiritual lives of their children and to lead them to a deeper relationship with Christ. Let us pray that God will give us the grace to fulfill this sacred responsibility of fatherhood and that He will bless our families with His love and grace.