Mystery of Repentance

DavidHawthorne · Post by **DavidHawthorne** » Tue 25 October 2005 11:55 pm

Christ is Among Us!

I have often wondered- and my wife doesn't know either- is there some proper way of beginning and ending one's confession? A set prayer or statement that is traditionally used? Also, what would some of the ones here recommend in the way of examining the conscience both before confession and even on a daily basis to review the day and how well it was spent?

In Christ,
Rd. David

尼古拉前执事 · Wed 26 October 2005 1:35 am

Dear Reader David,

I usually end with, "for these and any other sins I have forgotten I ask forgiveness." but your priest might have a better one. As for examining one's conscience, here is a few good ones IMO: http://euphrosynoscafe.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=223

spiridon · Post by **spiridon** » Wed 26 October 2005 2:36 am

What do I say, when I approach the priest for Confession? Are there prayers or words that I should be saying which are prescribed by the Church?

The truth is, there are many and various ways of beginning your Confession. Most of them are perfectly acceptable, traditional, and Orthodox. It is absolutely fine, for example, to come to the analogion (the stand which has the Gospel and Cross), kiss the Gospel, cross, and icon of the Saviour-Made-Without-Hands, and simply begin: “Father, I have sinned by…” and commence the enumeration of sins. Some people, though, prefer to open with a prayer or a statement. These can be very useful. A prayer or a statement helps to focus the mind and heart on repentance, and primes the mouth for confessing sins. One such statement or request, however, has some problems associated with it. This is the one that goes: “Bless me father, for I have sinned. It has been ____ (days, weeks, months, years) since my last Confession.” These words actually come from the tradition of the Roman Catholic Church and have somehow crept in to Orthodox practice, in some places. The fact that it is a tradition among Roman Catholics does not make it inherently bad or wrong. We Orthodox actually share many traditions and customs with our Roman Catholic neighbors. But the request, itself, has flaws, and in other ways is incompatible with Orthodox practice. “Bless me father, for I have sinned,” is how it begins. The language is confusing. Why? Because, it is impossible for any priest to bless a person “because they have sinned.” The text would be better if it were: “Father, bless me, a sinner.” At least this makes more sense. A priest can always bless a sinner, but never a sin! Another problem with this formula is that, in Orthodox practice, the blessing given by the priest comes at the end of the Confession, after the prayer of absolution has been read, and not at the beginning. When an Orthodox Christian asks for a blessing from a bishop or a priest, he/she expects that that blessing, by word and by the physical sign of the Cross, will be forthcoming, right away, and not delayed until later.

One pious usage that developed among some Orthodox Christians can be found in the 1948 Orthodox Prayer Book, compiled and edited by Archpriest Leonid Soroka and blessed by Metropolitan Theophilus. It gives the following instruction:

After having carefully examined your conscience, go and make your confession to the priest of God. Humble yourself by considering the majesty of God and your own infirmities and great unworthiness. Being on your knees [except on Sundays], in the attitude of a suppliant, say first:

“I, a sinner, confess to the Lord God Almighty, One in the Holy Trinity, to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, to all the saints – and to you my father confessor, all my sins.”

Having finished the declaration of your sins, add:

“For these and all my other sins, known and unknown, by which I have offended and angered the Good God against me, I am heartfully sorry, I repent sincerely, and I promise, with the help of God, to better my life. For these and all the sins of my past life, I humbly ask pardon of God.”

Utilizing such words can be helpful, beneficial and pleasing to God. Next, the priest confessor may offer some words of instruction, admonition, or encouragement. He may also give an epitimia, that is, a canon or penance, in order to assist the penitent in his war against sin.
Following this, the penitent kneels [if not a Sunday], and the priest places his epitrachil (stole) over his/her head, and recites the Prayer of Absolution.

Following the Prayer of Absolution, we rise, face the priest, and bowing from the waist, touch the floor and then approach him with crossed hands for a blessing. [Note: There is no need to re-venerate the Icon, Gospel and Cross at this point.]

Having received the blessing, we depart in peace, trusting in the mercy of God. What do I say, when I approach the priest for Confession? Are there prayers or words that I should be saying which are prescribed by the Church?

The truth is, there are many and various ways of beginning your Confession. Most of them are perfectly acceptable, traditional, and Orthodox. It is absolutely fine, for example, to come to the analogion (the stand which has the Gospel and Cross), kiss the Gospel, cross, and icon of the Saviour-Made-Without-Hands, and simply begin: “Father, I have sinned by…” and commence the enumeration of sins. Some people, though, prefer to open with a prayer or a statement. These can be very useful. A prayer or a statement helps to focus the mind and heart on repentance, and primes the mouth for confessing sins. One such statement or request, however, has some problems associated with it. This is the one that goes: “Bless me father, for I have sinned. It has been ____ (days, weeks, months, years) since my last Confession.” These words actually come from the tradition of the Roman Catholic Church and have somehow crept in to Orthodox practice, in some places. The fact that it is a tradition among Roman Catholics does not make it inherently bad or wrong. We Orthodox actually share many traditions and customs with our Roman Catholic neighbors. But the request, itself, has flaws, and in other ways is incompatible with Orthodox practice. “Bless me father, for I have sinned,” is how it begins. The language is confusing. Why? Because, it is impossible for any priest to bless a person “because they have sinned.” The text would be better if it were: “Father, bless me, a sinner.” At least this makes more sense. A priest can always bless a sinner, but never a sin! Another problem with this formula is that, in Orthodox practice, the blessing given by the priest comes at the end of the Confession, after the prayer of absolution has been read, and not at the beginning. When an Orthodox Christian asks for a blessing from a bishop or a priest, he/she expects that that blessing, by word and by the physical sign of the Cross, will be forthcoming, right away, and not delayed until later.