Organised by the Section for Dialogue in the Public Sphere of the Missionary Department of the Archdiocese of Belgrade–Karlovci and the Čukarica Cultural Centre, a panel discussion entitled “Father Thaddeus: Spiritual Father and Psychologist” was held on Thursday, 1 October 2026, at 7:00 p.m. The event was part of the “Orthodoxy and Psychology” dialogue series.
The participants were Proto-Deacon Dragan Stamenković, psychologist Viktor Vicanović, and Presbyter Oliver Subotić, who moderated the discussion.
At the outset, the speakers discussed, in a broader context, the need for dialogue between Orthodox spirituality and psychology, and specifically between spiritual fathers and psychologists. They emphasised the importance of a holistic approach that regards the human being as a multifaceted and integral whole, encompassing spirit, soul (psyche), and body.
In this regard, the teaching of Father Thaddeus was presented as a link between Orthodoxy and psychology. As a teacher of humility, he gave particular attention to thoughts, which form an integral part of one’s psychological life. Special emphasis was placed on his often-quoted saying, “As your thoughts are, so is your life.” The speakers also discussed why Elder Thaddeus insisted on obedience and respect for one’s parents.
They also examined Father Thaddeus’s teaching that salvation depends on whether a believer possesses, within the structure of his or her personality, “the character trait of Christ the Saviour,” with which a person enters eternity. In this way, Father Thaddeus brought the Christian anthropological teaching on the human being’s creation in the image of God into a certain relation with the modern psychological concept of personality. The speakers also highlighted the extent to which Father Thaddeus drew on the patristic understanding of the heart as the essential centre and source of spiritual life.
Finally, they discussed the Orthodox method of healing the soul and what was distinctive about Elder Thaddeus’s approach to it. Proto-Deacon Dragan Stamenković and psychologist Viktor Vicanović shared their personal experiences of speaking with Father Thaddeus, the spiritual gifts he possessed, and the way he counselled, comforted, and helped all who sought his guidance.
The speakers’ presentations were repeatedly met with applause, offered not only to them but also in appreciation of Father Thaddeus’s teaching.
The entire panel discussion was recorded by Hram Television. We will post the recording on our website as soon as it is published.
