WITH LOVE FROM EBAUMS WITH LOVE FROM EBAUMS WITH LOVE FROM EBAUMS WITH LOVE FROM EBAUMS WITH LOVE FROM EBAUMS WITH LOVE FROM EBAUMS{{spirituality}}'''Confession''' (or '''repentance''') is one of the seven [[holy mysteries]] (or sacraments) in the Orthodox Church, as well as many other Christian traditions. Through it, the confessor receives the divine forgiveness of Christ for any [[sin|sins]] that are confessed. Confession is typically given to a Spiritual Father (usually a parish priest). Confession can be individual or general. The frequency of required confession (as well as whether or not general confession is permissible) can vary from [[parish]] to parish, and from [[jurisdiction]] to jurisdiction.==Historical Development=={{stub}} ==Preparing for Confession== Reflection on the [[Ten Commandments]] is often recommended as part of an examination of conscience. ===See also:=== *[http://www.orthodox.net/articles/confession-and-communion.html The relationship between Confession and Communion] ==Frequency of Confession== ==Confidentiality==:''The secrecy of the Mystery of Penance is considered an unquestionable rule in the entire Orthodox Church. Theologically, the need to maintain the secrecy of confession comes from the fact that the priest is only a witness before God. One could not expect a sincere and complete confession if the penitent has doubts regarding the practice of confidentiality. Betrayal of the secrecy of confession will lead to canonical punishment of the priest.'' :''St. [[Nicodemus the Hagiorite]] exhorts the Spiritual Father to keep confessions confidential, even under strong constraining influence. The author of the Pedalion (the Rudder), states that a priest who betrays the secrecy of confession is to be deposed. The Metropolitan of Kos, Emanuel, mentions in his handbook (Exomologeteke) for confessors that the secrecy of confession is a principle without exception.''::From the [http://aggreen.net/guidelines/guide03.html ''Guidelines for Clergy'' (Orthodox Church in America)] ==General Confession== ===Sources===* [http://www.schmemann.org/byhim/confessionandcommunion.html Confession and Communion] - by Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann (Accepted and Approved by the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America, February 17, 1972)* [http://www.schmemann.org/byhim/reflectionsonconfession.html Some reflections on Confession] - by Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann (Paper discussed at the Alumni Retreat, St. Andrew’s Camp, June 20-22, 1961) ==Jurisdictional Resources== ===Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese===*[http://www.antiochian.org/1101907399 Parish Handbook for Confession] - Fr. Isaac Henke ===Greek Orthodox Resources===*[http://www.goarch.org/en/ourfaith/articles/article8493.asp Repentance and Confession] - An introduction by John Chryssavgis*[http://www.goarch.org/en/ourfaith/articles/article8476.asp Preparation for Holy Confession] - from the Greek Orthodox Department of Religious Education*[http://www.goarch.org/en/ourfaith/articles/article7074.asp Young People and Confession] by Fr. Milton Efthimiou*[http://www.goarch.org/en/multimedia/video/ GOARCH Multimedia - Sacraments Series - The Sacrament of Penance] - in RealMedia format *[http://home.it.net.au/~jgrapsas/pages/Communion.htm Preparing to Receive Holy Communion] - Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia ===Orthodox Church in America===*[http://www.oca.org/OCchapter.asp?SID=2&ID=54 Penance] - in ''The Orthodox Faith'' by Fr. Thomas Hopko ===Russian Orthodox Church Abroad (ROCOR)===*[http://www.roca.org/OA/151/151m.htm Church Rules for Confession and Holy Communion] - by Priest Gregory Naumenko, in ''Orthodox America''*[http://www.roca.org/OA/87/87b.htm How to Make a Confession] in ''Orthodox America''*[http://www.orthodox.net/confess/index.html The Sacrament Of Confession] - from St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, Dallas Texas (ROCOR) ==Other Resources==*''Confession with Examination of Conscience and Common Prayers'' compiled and annotated by Paul N. Harrilchak (Reston, VA: Holy Trinity Church (OCA), 1996) ISBN 0930055012 (cloth) / ISBN 0930055020 (pbk.) *[http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/praxis/pr_confession.aspx Articles on Confession] from OrthodoxInfo.com*[http://tmatt.gospelcom.net/tmatt/freelance/mercy.html The Mercy Of Confession] by Terry Mattingly. publised in ''Again Magazine'' (2000)*[http://southern-orthodoxy.blogspot.com/2007/02/confession-time-space-age.html Confession: Time, Space & Age] by Fr. Joseph Huneycutt ==In Literature==*[http://www.eldritchpress.org/ac/inpassionwk.htm In Passion Week] - by Anton Chekhov*[http://www.fomacenter.ru/english/index.php?issue=5§ion=48&article=586 A Siberian Grandmother on Confession] in ''FOMA: An Orthodox Christian Journal for Doubting Thomases'' ==Liturgical texts== [[Category:Sacraments]] [[ro:Spovedania]]
