The Importance of Confession in Orthodox Christianity
Confession is an essential element of the Christian life. In fact, without an acknowledgement and confession of our sins, there is no Christianity. We confess our sins in order to reveal our lives to the judgment of God and those around us, beg for mercy and forgiveness, and free ourselves from our sinful secrets.
The Need for Reconciliation
The Orthodox Church is the hospital for the soul, bringing us spiritual and bodily healing through the sacraments. According to St. Ignatius of Antioch (c. 110 AD), the Church is the community that gathers around their bishop and the Eucharist (cf. Letter to the Smyrnaeans , 8). Today, 1900 years after St. Ignatius, the Church is still that same community though we often gather around the Eucharist with a presbyter (priest) who stands in for the bishop.
When we sin, we cut ourselves off from Christ and His Church the Eucharistic assembly. Therefore, we need a means for restoring us so that our spiritual healing can continue. The mystery of repentance often called confession is how we receive reconciliation.
The History of Confession
Our God is a consuming fire (Deut. 4⁚24, Heb. 12⁚29), and receiving Him in the Eucharist is a way that we meet Him. In the Precommunion prayer of St. Symeon the New Theologian, we are likened to the burning bush that Moses witnessed, which was consumed by the Divine Fire, yet it was not destroyed (Ex. 3). With that in mind, we collectively pray before Communion,
May the communion of thy holy Mysteries be neither to my judgment nor to my condemnation, O Lord, but to the healing of soul and body.
Only those who have prepared themselves through fasting, prayer, and a recent confession should come to the Eucharist. At the institution of the Mystical Supper during our Lords sojourn on earth, we see the consequence of receiving the Eucharist without love for God or neighbor,
Preparing for Confession
While the sacrament of confession is not a strictly private event, we should kneel nightly before our icons or at our bedside and mentally review the day. Did I say something offensive or unkind? Did I lack love or patience at any time? Did I commit some other kind of sin?
Confess all these things to God, then making the sign of the Cross over your bed, ask our Lord to bless your sleep, remembering that it is an image of death and the grave. One day, we will do this for the last time before being laid in the earth. Lets pray we dont have a sudden death that prevents us from making a final confession with a priest.
St. Demetrius of Rostov created a confessional guide that I have revised to make it more easily understood by modern Americans. Many people have found it to be helpful.
How to Confess
Confess all of your sins in full, each sin separately. St. John Chrysostom states, One must not only say⁚ I have sinned, or I am a sinner, but one must declare each form of sin. I.e., one must list each sin.
Nightly Confession
While the sacrament of confession is not a strictly private event, we should kneel nightly before our icons or at our bedside and mentally review the day. Did I say something offensive or unkind? Did I lack love or patience at any time? Did I commit some other kind of sin? Confess all these things to God, then making the sign of the Cross over your bed, ask our Lord to bless your sleep, remembering that it is an image of death and the grave. One day, we will do this for the last time before being laid in the earth. Lets pray we dont have a sudden death that prevents us from making a final confession with a priest.
Life Confession
If you’ve never been to confession, then a life-confession is needed. These take a bit longer because in them we confess all the sins we have committed throughout our lives. It’s a freeing thing to get that off your chest, to no longer hide skeletons in your closet. Life confession is an important part of the Orthodox Christian journey, offering a chance to start anew and embrace the forgiveness and healing that comes from a cleansed conscience. It allows you to release the burden of past transgressions and move forward with a lighter heart, ready to embrace the grace of God.
Making a Good Confession
Honesty and sorrow for our sins are the most important internal aspects of a good confession.
Honesty and Sorrow
Honesty and sorrow for our sins are the most important internal aspects of a good confession. We should be honest with God, honest with His priest, and honest with ourselves. It may be painfully embarrassing to realize we are not the virtuous person we hoped we were, but coming to that realization is a necessary part of our spiritual healing. The more honest we are with ourselves, the more likely we are to recognize the need for repentance. Along with honesty, we should also have sorrow for our sins. This sorrow should be a deep, heartfelt regret for the harm we have caused ourselves and others.
Vulnerability and Trust
Vulnerability is necessary to make a good confession, though some people are concerned the priest will judge them. However, priests are commanded to never judge those who confess their sins. They are there to witness the penitents confession to God and encourage him or her in repentance. The priest acts as a witness to our confession to God, and in some sense, stands in place of the assembly of the faithful. The priest does not know us, and he or she is there to help us, not to judge us. We should trust that the priest will keep our confession confidential. This is a sacred trust that priests take very seriously.
The Role of the Priest
The priest’s role in confession is to act as a witness to our confession to God. He is there to help us to see our sins more clearly and to encourage us to repent. The priest is also there to offer us guidance and support. He may give us advice on how to overcome our sins or how to live a more holy life. The priest may also give us a penance, which is a spiritual exercise that helps us to grow in holiness. It is important to remember that the priest is not there to judge us. He is there to help us to find healing and reconciliation with God; The priest should not judge us. He is there to help us to see our sins more clearly and to encourage us to repent. The priest should also offer us guidance and support. He may give us advice on how to overcome our sins or how to live a more holy life. The priest may also give us a penance, which is a spiritual exercise that helps us to grow in holiness.
Resources for Confession
There are many resources available to help you prepare for confession, including confession guides, books on repentance, and online resources.
Confession Guides
Confession guides can be helpful in preparing for confession. They often provide a list of sins categorized by the Ten Commandments, Seven Deadly Sins, and other groupings to aid self-examination. These guides can help you to identify areas of your life where you need to repent. A good confession guide should help you to reflect on your actions, thoughts, and words, and to identify specific areas where you need to seek God’s forgiveness. One example is St. Demetrius of Rostov’s confessional guide, which was revised for a modern American audience.
Books on Repentance
Many books have been written on the topic of repentance in the Orthodox Christian tradition. These books can provide valuable insights into the nature of sin, the importance of confession, and the path to spiritual healing. Some recommended books include “The Forgotten Medicine⁚ The Mystery of Repentance” by Archimandrite Seraphim Aleksiev, which explores the deep spiritual meaning of repentance and its transformative power. Another helpful resource is “Exomologetarion⁚ A Manual of Confession” by St. Nikodemos the Hagiorite, which offers guidance and counsel for the penitent, providing practical advice on how to prepare for confession and how to approach the sacrament with sincerity and humility.
Online Resources
In today’s digital age, there are numerous online resources available to help Orthodox Christians learn more about confession and prepare for the sacrament. Websites like OrthodoxRoad.com offer articles, guides, and FAQs that cover various aspects of confession, from its history and theology to practical advice on how to approach the sacrament. Many Orthodox parishes also have websites with information about confession, including schedules for confession services and resources for preparing for the sacrament. Online forums and discussion boards can also provide a space for Orthodox Christians to share their experiences with confession and seek support from others who have been through the process.