| This article forms part of the series Orthodox Spirituality | |
| Holy Mysteries | |
| Baptism - Chrismation Eucharist - Confession Marriage - Ordination Holy Unction | |
| Three Stages | |
| Catharsis/Purification Theoria/Illumination Theosis/Divinization | |
| Hesychasm | |
| Nepsis - Metanoia Hesychia - Phronema Mysticism - Nous | |
| Asceticism | |
| Chastity - Obedience Stability - Fasting Poverty - Monasticism | |
| Virtues | |
| Humility - Generosity Chastity - Meekness Temperance - Contentment Diligence | |
| Prayer | |
| Worship - Veneration Prayer Rule - Jesus Prayer Relics - Sign of the Cross | |
| Church Fathers | |
| Apostolic Fathers Desert Fathers Cappadocians The Philokalia The Ladder of Divine Ascent | |
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.
Historical Development[]
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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. published 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