What is Confession ?

Confession is one of the basic mysteries of the Church. It gives us the strength to atone with God, to examine our faith and our lives and to guarantee spiritual health. It is an act of repentance. Repentance means changing oneself, turning around, metamorphosis. When we sin we distance ourselves from God. When we repent, and confess our sins and ask for forgiveness, we are able to reconcile with God. Confession relieves us of the burden of sin. It provides us with an opportunity to discuss our deepest problems and to be given advice. We are thus able to reinforce our spirituality.

How was Confession established? Is it perhaps a recent invention of clerics?
The mystery of confession was instituted by Jesus Christ Himself. He gave His Apostles the authority to forgive sins (John 20:23). Consequently the Apostles passed down this Charisma to Bishops and Presbyters in the Church. In this way, confession is perpetuated eternally by the ordination of priests.

Is Confession essential for all people?
Only a person who is sinless does not need confession. St. John the Theologian writes that whoever regards himself as sinless is far removed from reality. Even Christ who was without blemish, accepted the baptism of repentance from John the Baptist and thus demonstrated the necessity of the mystery. This is why confession is an integral component of Orthodox Christian life.

Who may confess?
As stated previously, confession is made to a spiritual father. In other words to a priest who has particular ability to carry out the task. One needs to communicate with the confessor in order to establish a suitable time and place for the confession to be made, unless the confessor has predetermined days and times set aside specifically for the purpose of hearing confessions.

Even the Confessor has sins !
The Confessor does not forgive our sins with his own power, but with the Grace of God. The priest is only a mediator. He too makes provision to confess his sins to another spiritual father.

Where does Confession take place?
Confession usually takes place in a Church, a Chapel or some other place.

How does it happen?
We sit opposite icons and with the exhortation of the spiritual father we confess our sins. We can also ask for advice on issues which may be bothering us. When one confesses he/she kneels and the priest places the epitrachilion (the symbol of his priestly office) on top of the head and he asks God to forgive the persons sins. After the confession, we kiss the epitrachilion and the hand of the priest.

What does one have to say during the confession?
During the confession one examines ones feelings, thoughts, words, deeds, behaviour, habits, worth, priorities, targets, direction and type of life one leads. We do not focus on our personal spiritual life but rather examine our family relationships, societal relationships, work and even aspects of leisure. This is because ones entire life needs the illumination of the Holy Spirit. Not so as to judge ourselves but so as to maintain ourselves on the path towards Christ. By asking the priest for advice on various issues, we enable ourselves to make more spiritually meaningful decisions rather than rash decisions which will ultimately harm our souls.

I have not killed, neither have I stolen…what should I confess?
When we think in this way we demonstrate that we do not know and understand the teachings of Christ. Christ teaches us that even sinful thoughts distance us from Him. Consequently we sin not only when we do something wrong but also when we do not support something that is good. Who can truly say that he/she carries out the command of agape and total love towards his/her enemies?

Is there an easy way to examine myself as being in accord with God’s laws or not?
We have the Ten Commandments and their interpretation under the prism of the New Testament. The most complete Command however is the one to love God and ones neighbours. This is in accord with Christ’s words that this command encompasses all the others (Matthew 22: 40). We cannot claim to love God if we do not obey his commands. Neither can we claim to love others and simultaneously harm them. We must love our neighbours and in this way we will come to know our love towards God (1 John 4:20). When we are at odds with other people or when we abuse them, we demonstrate that we do not love God. We are then disregarding His command to love our fellow human beings and are totally disrespectful towards Our Creator.

I find it difficult to talk about personal issues. I feel ashamed. What will the priest think?
We need to see the confessional process as a therapeutic means of healing our sick spirit. For us, confession is a matter of spiritual and physical health. It is something that the priest is accustomed to. He is not likely to be shocked by what we tell him. He may even have heard worse. In any event, a feeling of shame is not uncommon at a time when we are about to repent for previous wrong-doings.

I am afraid that the priest will make my sins known to others.
The priest is obliged by his holy duty to keep all issues discussed during confession confidential. This is even acknowledged by the lawcourts. If a priest divulges to a third party during confession what has been discussed, he is immediately reproved by his Bishop and Ecclesiastic Justice. A person about to confess must regard the priest as a healer of the spirit. That is why he must be trusted totally. We select him because of his good virtues and trustability. The teachings of our Church recommend confession to the same spiritual father on an ongoing basis and does not favour the idea of changing the person to whom one confesses, unless totally unavoidable. People are responsible for their own lives and it is not advisable to place our trust in a person who does not have the same spiritual depth as a priest.

How should sins be related to the priest?
A short and simple explanation is sufficient. It is not necessary to spell out all the details especially relating to bodily aspects. It is also not necessary to try to justify ones actions. If the priest believes a more detailed explanation is necessary, he will no doubt request one. What is imperative is that the confessing person remain humble and truly repentant.

What can the holy father/priest tell me?
He can advise one on how to avoid the sin again. He can advise on the nature of the sin and answer questions which the confessing person may ask him.

After the priest has heard my confession and blessed me are my sins all forgiven? Will it be necessary to have a confession for the same sins again?
The priests blessing allows all the sins confessed to be forgiven. If one doubts that the sins are forgiven then one is doubting the power of God the Father. On the other hand if we have accidentally not mentioned something which we consider important and should have mentioned, we need to mention this the next time we confess.

What if I forget a sin or do not mention it due to embarrassment?
If we forget something we can simply mention it next time we confess. If we intentionally leave something out we should consider our sin not forgiven and should not take Holy Communion even if the priest says we may.

Is Holy Communion essential after confession?
Our repentance is not restricted to confession. We cannot fully atone with God unless we partake of Holy Communion. Communion is our mystical union with Christ who was both man and God. Confession in fact prepares us to take communion. We must ask the priest if we can take communion and he will decide on the frequency as well as how we should prepare for the Holy Communion. This could be fasting, prayer, forgiveness and reconciliation with those whom we have wronged assuming that another party is involved.

Is it useful to confess when I know I will commit the same sin again?
An ill person fights his/her sickness for years in the same way a sinner fights a spiritual warfare. Confession guarantees that no sin can keep us away from God’s Grace. Only the omission of confession can condemn us