Confession?

[Orthodox Andrew]

I have been having a discussion with some Orthodox Christians on the issue of confession. From what they tell me, confession unless it is to a Priest, is almost useless. From some Orthodox sources I have read, it has talked about confessing your sins in front of an Icon, and I have noticed that some Orthodox prayers ask God for forgiveness in the prayer. So my question is, is me asking God to forgive my sins a usless act, unless it's to a Priest?

 

[Orthodox6]

http://www.oca.org/pages/orth_chri/Q-and-A_OLD/concerningconfession.html

I wonder if the discussion there will be helpful to you.

Jumping to the bottom line, though, it is VERY "useful" -- necessary, in fact! -- to confess our sins daily to God during our private prayers. Some of the daily evening prayers are rather detailed "self-examination lists", as you already have discovered.

If you were estranged from a family member or friend, for whatever reason, you would try to "make things right" through direct communication. For example, I am extremely blessed that one of my sons -- (who is your same age, if your profile birthdate is correct) -- simply cannot even go to bed at night until he has talked through anything that he and I have argued about that day, and restored our loving relationship to what it should be, as best as he and I can manage. Similarly, a daily self-examination of my sins reminds me of how I have estranged myself that day from my absolutely "best friend", Christ. Confessing to Him through private prayer is an attempt to set things right with that most vital of relationships.

This "informal" confession becomes, then, part of preparing for my next "formal" confession through the mystery of confession. The priest is but a "witness". But he (priest) is necessary, because he has the God-bestowed task of formally restoring my relationship with God through the prayers of absolution.

So, with the "balance" that characterizes our Orthodox faith, both "ways" are needed.

I hope this doesn't sound too "mechanical" to you.

[edit] P.S. -- Such private confession would seem "useless" only if you don't believe that God listens to our prayers! We also are taught that He has forgiven us before we even get the words out of our mouths!

 

[Orthodox Andrew]

http://www.oca.org/pages/orth_chri/Q-and-A_OLD/concerningconfession.html

I wonder if the discussion there will be helpful to you.

Jumping to the bottom line, though, it is VERY "useful" -- necessary, in fact! -- to confess our sins daily to God during our private prayers. Some of the daily evening prayers are rather detailed "self-examination lists", as you already have discovered.

If you were estranged from a family member or friend, for whatever reason, you would try to "make things right" through direct communication. For example, I am extremely blessed that one of my sons -- (who is your same age, if your profile birthdate is correct) -- simply cannot even go to bed at night until he has talked through anything that he and I have argued about that day, and restored our loving relationship to what it should be, as best as he and I can manage. Similarly, a daily self-examination of my sins reminds me of how I have estranged myself that day from my absolutely "best friend", Christ. Confessing to Him through private prayer is an attempt to set things right with that most vital of relationships.

This "informal" confession becomes, then, part of preparing for my next "formal" confession through the mystery of confession. The priest is but a "witness". But he (priest) is necessary, because he has the God-bestowed task of formally restoring my relationship with God through the prayers of absolution.

So, with the "balance" that characterizes our Orthodox faith, both "ways" are needed.

I hope this doesn't sound too "mechanical" to you.

[edit] P.S. -- Such private confession would seem "useless" only if you don't believe that God listens to our prayers! We also are taught that He has forgiven us before we even get the words out of our mouths!

Thank you so much, your post has been a great help to me. I was accused of thinking like a Protestant for my stance on feeling that we should also ask God for forgiveness.


P.S. My age is right on my profile. And it sounds like you have raised a really great kid.


God Bless you and your family.

 

[fiona232]

Hi All
Coming from a Catholic background originally I was a bit confused about when one should got to a priest for confession and when it is just ok to say prayers of forgiveness etc etc. I found the following sites helpful in sorting out my confusion...


Repentance and Confession - An Introduction
www goarch org/en/ourfaith/article8493.asp


Preparation for Confession
www goarch org/en/ourfaith/article8493.asp


Priests Pastors Confessors & Spiritual Fathers - thoughts on Confession & the Pastoral Relationship www stgeorgecathedral net article_0101

Confession: A Mystery of the Church Preparing for Confession

What Happens in Confession


The Elements of Confession


The Minister of Confession


*ALL these above articles can be found in the article section of the website:-

www stgeorgescathedral net


HOPE THIS HELPS.

Cheers
Fiona

 

[MariaRegina]

Dear Fiona:

Thank you. I tried the reference sites but you have to have 15 post to post a valid url, however, I could not find those articles. Could you repost when you have made 15 posts?

I too had problems sorting this out.

Basically what I discovered is that for so-called venial sins, we can confess these sins to God by saying an act of contrition as found in the pre-communion prayers. Then when we receive Holy Communion, our sins are forgiven us by Christ.

If we have failed very seriously, then we should also make an act of contrition and be reconciled with all before even approaching the Priest. The Priest will be a witness of our reconciliation and repentance as he gives us absolution in the name of Christ and His Holy Church.

There is nothing magical about Confession - one has to be repentant first. The Priest by his prayers of absolution restores us to Holy Communion. So whenever we feel that we are backsliding, it's time for a spiritual checkup by frequenting the Holy Sacrament of Confession followed by Holy Communion (with our Priest's blessing). Sometimes, however, Holy Communion will be denied us because our repentance is lacking or we have been canonized. From what I've heard, this action is rarely taken.

Hope this helps.
Elizabeth

 

[fiona232]

I tried the reference sites but you have to have 15 post to post a valid url. Yes. I tried to circumvent the system by not including http etc but unfortunately my idea didnt work. Oh well - guess illhave tofind something more to write about to bring my postings up to 15 ;-)
Cheers Fiona

 

[MariaRegina]

I tried the reference sites but you have to have 15 post to post a valid url. Yes. I tried to circumvent the system by not including http etc but unfortunately my idea didnt work. Oh well - guess illhave tofind something more to write about to bring my postings up to 15 ;-)
Cheers Fiona

Dear Fiona,

Just three (3) more posts to go. Why don't you post a few in the Taverna?

 

[Orthodox Andrew]

Hi All
Coming from a Catholic background originally I was a bit confused about when one should got to a priest for confession and when it is just ok to say prayers of forgiveness etc etc. I found the following sites helpful in sorting out my confusion...


Repentance and Confession - An Introduction
www goarch org/en/ourfaith/article8493.asp


Preparation for Confession
www goarch org/en/ourfaith/article8493.asp


Priests Pastors Confessors & Spiritual Fathers - thoughts on Confession & the Pastoral Relationship www stgeorgecathedral net article_0101

Confession: A Mystery of the Church Preparing for Confession

What Happens in Confession


The Elements of Confession


The Minister of Confession


*ALL these above articles can be found in the article section of the website:-

www stgeorgescathedral net


HOPE THIS HELPS.

Cheers
Fiona

WOW! Thanks for all the sites, they are quite the help.

God Bless

 

[nicodemus]

The sacrament of confession is invaluable. Like someone else said, it isn't magic, but it is a sacrament of the Church. One wouldn't blow off Baptism, the Eucharist, or other sacraments, so it shouldn't be treated as something optional. Like another said, an attitude of repentance is necessary, anyone can make a half-hearted confession and just be "going through the motions." In our parish it is recommended that one participates in the sacrament of confession every 6-10 weeks, or more often if you feel necessary (at the discretion of your spiritual father.) There have been times I've waited longer than that, there have been times I've probably been sooner than that, but that is the general guideline given to us by our spiritual father. And remember, you aren't confessing your sins to a priest, but to God in the presence of a priest.

Once again, I can't stress again, how important the sacrament is. I've even read confession called "second baptism."