Orthodoxinfo's Guide to Confession

A Guide to Confession

Do you believe in God, the Holy Trinity, and in the divinity of Christ? Do you respect the Holy Virgin Mary, the Saints, and the Angels? Do you believe in the Church and its Mysteries (Sacraments)? Do you believe that Heaven and Hell exist?

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Yes.

Do you trust yourself always, and especially during the difficult times of your life, to the care and Providence of God? Or do you despair and show a lack of faith?

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Most of the time, no.

Perhaps in the problems, afflictions, sicknesses, and trials of your life you moan and complain against God and lose your faith and confidence?

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Not all of the time, but some very few particular times.

Do you believe in mediums, fortune-telling, tarot card reading, or coffee-cup reading? Do you tell other people to believe in such things and go to such people?

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No.

Do you believe in superstition?

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No.

Do you believe in luck?

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It depends. Like the luck of the Irish? yes.

Do you pray morning and evening and before and after each meal? Are you embarrassed to make the sign of the cross in the presence of others, for example, in a restaurant or outside a holy church when you are passing by?

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I think I do.

No.

Do you not make your cross properly?

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Yes.

Do you read the Holy Bible as well as other Orthodox spiritual books daily?

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Yes.

Do you go to church on Sundays and on the major Feast Days? [3]
Do you follow the Divine Liturgy carefully and reverently from the start until the end, or do you go late and leave before the end? Do you let your mind wander in church?

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I'm supposed to.

Other Orthodox haven't helped me get organized with a liturgical schedule.

Do you commune regularly or only once a year, and then without Holy Confession?

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With no priest, make confession in prayer corner.

Do you give oaths without need or, if so, lie as well? Did you perhaps not fulfill your oath, vow, or promise? The Bible forbids oaths completely, saying that our "yes" be "yes" and our "no" be "no" (St Matthew 5:7).

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No.

Do you blaspheme the Name of God, the Virgin Mary, and our Saints by speaking irreverently of them?

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No.

Do you fast (unless you have a serious health problem) on Wednesdays and Fridays and during the appointed periods of the year? [4]

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Without other Orthodox showing me how to keep the fasting schedule I just cut back on the amount food I eat.

Do you throw religious books or periodicals in unclean places?

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No.