Confession — The Sacrament of Repentance

What Confession Is

Confession (the Sacrament of Repentance) is the Holy Mystery by which the sinner, through sincere repentance and the confession of sins before the priest, receives forgiveness from God. The priest is not the one who forgives — he is a witness and a mediator. Forgiveness comes from God, and the priest gives it in the name of Christ, who said to the apostles: “Receive the Holy Spirit! Whosoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosoever sins ye retain, they are retained” (Jn 20:22-23).

Confession is not psychotherapy, although it has a therapeutic effect. Nor is it a mere list of sins — it is an encounter with the living God who knows us better than we know ourselves, and who in that encounter receives us back when we sincerely repent.

Repentance is not merely a feeling of sorrow over sin. Repentance (Gr. metanoia) literally means a change of mind — a turning, a decision to abandon sin and to live differently. Without that decision, Confession is an empty form.

Who May Confess

Confession is available to every baptized Orthodox Christian who has reached the age of seven. There are no impediments of age, sex, state of health or kind of sin — no sin is too great for God’s mercy, given sincere repentance.

The only impediments are:

• The unbaptized cannot confess (they have no access to the Holy Mysteries)
• Those who do not wish to forgive others — Christ is clear: “But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Mt 6:15)
• Those who do not sincerely repent and do not intend to abandon sin

Preparation for Confession

Preparation is more important than the rite itself, for Confession is no more valuable than the sincerity with which you approach it.

Examination of conscience: Sit in silence and examine yourself. Use the Ten Commandments and the Gospel as a mirror. Ask yourself: How have I behaved toward God? Have I prayed? Have I kept Sundays and feast days? How have I behaved toward my parents, toward my elders? Have I lied, stolen, gossiped? Have I been greedy, envious, wrathful? Have I helped those who needed my help?

Fasting: The day before Confession, fast if you are able — do not eat meat, dairy or eggs, do not drink alcohol. Fasting sharpens the spiritual senses and prepares the heart.

Prayer before Confession: There is a special prayer before Confession that can be found in prayer books. It introduces us into the true spirit of repentance and the invocation of God’s help.

Perfection is not required: You need not have all your sins perfectly systematized and listed. God looks at the heart — what matters is sincerity, not form.

The Order of Confession

Confession takes place in the church, usually before the morning Liturgy or at a time set by the priest. You approach the priest who stands before the analogion on which lie the Gospel and the cross.

1. The Priest’s Prayer

The priest reads the prayers of preparation for Confession, which call upon Christ to be present and to forgive the penitent.

2. The Exhortation

The priest briefly reminds you that before you stands Christ, not a man, and that you should confess everything without shame, for shame at Confession is considered a sin.

3. The Confession of Sins

You set forth your sins. You need not speak in the third person nor use special formulas — simply say: “I have sinned in this and in that, in such and such a way…” The priest may ask questions in order to understand you better or to remind you of areas you have skipped over. The conversation is confidential — everything you say is under the absolute seal of Confession.

4. The Epitemia (if needed)

In some cases, the priest may impose an epitemia — a spiritual penance or task: a certain number of prostrations, a fast, the reading of an akathist, a good deed. This is not a punishment in the legal sense, but a medicine for the soul — a help to truly abandon the sin.

5. The Absolution

The priest places the epitrachelion (stole) upon your head and reads the prayer of absolution: “O Lord our God… forgive him (her) all that he (she) has sinned in this life…” Then he blesses you. The sins are forgiven.

6. Kissing the Cross and the Gospel

You kiss the cross and the Gospel as a sign of thanksgiving and the confirmation of the covenant.

The Epitemia

The epitemia (Gr. epitimion) is an ecclesiastical penance or spiritual medicine that the priest gives after Confession in the case of more serious sins. It is not revenge nor public disgrace — it is medicine for the soul.

The epitemia may be: a fast of a certain number of days, the bowing of a certain number of prayers, the reading of special prayers or an akathist, the obligation to make restitution for harm done to others, or temporary abstention from Communion until the assigned task is fulfilled.

One should not fear the epitemia. The priest who gives it has your good in mind, not your punishment.

How Often to Go to Confession

The Church recommends Confession at least four times a year — at the beginning of the four great fasts:

1. The Great Fast (before Pascha) — the most important, the longest and the most intense
2. The Apostles’ Fast — the fast of the Apostles Peter and Paul (June-July)
3. The Dormition Fast — the fast of the Dormition of the Theotokos (August)
4. The Nativity Fast — the fast before Christmas (November-December)

Many Christians go more often — once a month, or before each Communion if they commune several times a year. The priest — the spiritual father who knows you — can recommend a rhythm that suits you.

It is important to note: without Confession one cannot receive Holy Communion, except for children up to the age of seven. This is not a rule to be circumvented, but a protection against approaching the Holy Mystery unaware and unprepared.