You seem to be describing a monastic spiritual father. The relationship between a monk and his elder is VERY different than the relationship between a layperson and their spiritual father/father confessor. Much of the Orthodox literature out there pertains to monastics. It\'s important to recognize the differences (e.g., laypeople are not called to \"unconditional obedience\"). Laypeople do not need to ask a blessing for everything like a monastic would. For a layperson (especially a married layperson), the spiritual father should be more of a \"guide\" than an elder to whom obedience is given.
As many saints in recent centuries have said, there are few or no true spiritual fathers left in the world. By that I take it to mean \"startsy,\" or holy, Spirit-filled elders. For virtually all of us, our spiritual father will be a good priest, but not a clairvoyant elder. Not that a spiritual father has to be a priest -- theoretically, it could be an experienced monk or nun.
One must have a confessor. On the other hand, I think a true spiritual father is rarer, and not absolutely necessary for every single Orthodox Christian.
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