Confession
This article forms part of the series Orthodox Spirituality | |
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Baptism - Chrismation Confession - Eucharist Marriage - Ordination Holy Unction | |
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Confession (or repentance) is one of the holy mysteries (or sacraments) in the Orthodox Church, as well as many other Christian traditions. Through it, the penitent receives the divine forgiveness of Christ for any sins that are confessed. Confession is typically given to a Spiritual Father (usually a parish priest or monastic). 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.
Contents
Historical Development
Confession In the Bible
John the baptist
John the baptist practiced confession
"Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River." Matthew 3:6
"And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins." Mark 1:5
The Church
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." James 5:16
"Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices." Acts 19:18
"Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses." 1 Timothy 6:12
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9
Preparing for Confession
Reflection on the Ten Commandments is often recommended as part of an examination of conscience.
See also:
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.
General Confession
Sources
- 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)
- 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
- Parish Handbook for Confession - Fr. Isaac Henke
Greek Orthodox Resources
- Repentance and Confession - An introduction by John Chryssavgis
- Preparation for Holy Confession - from the Greek Orthodox Department of Religious Education
- Young People and Confession by Fr. Milton Efthimiou
- GOARCH Multimedia - Sacraments Series - The Sacrament of Penance - in RealMedia format
- Preparing to Receive Holy Communion - Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia
Orthodox Church in America
- Penance - in The Orthodox Faith by Fr. Thomas Hopko
Russian Orthodox Church Abroad (ROCOR)
- Church Rules for Confession and Holy Communion - by Priest Gregory Naumenko, in Orthodox America
- How to Make a Confession in Orthodox America
- 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.)
- Articles on Confession from OrthodoxInfo.com
- The Mercy Of Confession by Terry Mattingly. publised in Again Magazine (2000)
- Confession: Time, Space & Age by Fr. Joseph Huneycutt
In Literature
- In Passion Week - by Anton Chekhov
- A Siberian Grandmother on Confession in FOMA: An Orthodox Christian Journal for Doubting Thomases
External Links
- CANON OF SUPPLICATION TO THE MOST HOLY MOTHER OF GOD AT THE CONFESSION OF A SINNER. (Canon in preparation for Confession is to be found in the Greek Great Euchologion)