In these enlightening lectures Father Maximos elucidates the meaning of confession, and provides many practical insights into the significance of spiritual direction from the Letters of Ss. Barsanuphius and John. These two great saints of the Church, who lived in Gaza of Palestine in the sixth century, were highly-esteemed hermits who lived in relative isolation from the world, but conducted extensive correspondence with people from all walks of life and levels of society: laymen, soldiers, priests, monks, bishops and others. Their letters are remarkable for the view they give us into the process of spiritual guidance, since these letters preserve not just a question and an answer, but a series of letters recording an ongoing conversation. Though many of these letters were written to monks, they contain teachings and principles of spiritual life that are relevant to everyone who seeks to know and love God.