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Words of Absolution

Knee V

It's phonetic.
Sep 17, 2003
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As often as I've heard those words, I couldn't for the life of me spit them back to you. I can't find them in any of the books that I have, and I can't find them online (the only sites that I can find that have them written are from the non-Chalcedonian circles, which may or may not be the same as ours). The Book of Great Needs, most assuredly, has them, as that is the "manual" that the priest/bishop uses for all of the services. The average layman wouldn't have a copy of that, since we aren't ordained to carry out those functions, although you may find one here or there who has one for some reason or another.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

BTW, I'm also a DFW'ite transplanted from northern Indiana not too far from South Bend.
 
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JJM

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The language of the liturgy is usually promulgated in approved prayer books.

Yes, but those are like $30-40 and without going into a Greek Orthodox Church and asking to peruse their sacramentary, I don't know how I'm going to get my hands on one.
 
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Typikon

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This is what is used in the Russian Church and in other Churches that stemmed from it (including OCA I think).

Just before the confession the priest says:

Behold, my child, Christ standeth here invisibly, and receiveth thy confession; wherefore, be not ashamed, neither be afraid, and conceal thou nothing from me, but tell me, without justifying thyself, all things which thou hast done; and so shalt thou have pardon from our Jesus Christ. Lo, His holy image is before us, and I am but a witness, bearing testimony before Him of all things which thou dost say unto me. But if thou shalt conceal anything from me, thy sins shall be as doubled. Take heed, therefore, lest, having come to the physician, thou depart unhealed.

After the confession the priest says the absolution payers. First, Lord God of the salvation of Thy servants:

O Lord God of the salvation of Thy servants, gracious, bountiful, and long-suffering, Who repentest Thee concerning our evil deeds, and desirest not the death of the sinner, but rather that he should turn away from his wickedness and live; show Thy mercy now upon Thy servant, N., and grant unto him (her) an image of repentance, forgiveness of sins, and deliverance, pardoning his (her) every transgression, whether voluntary or involuntary. Reconcile and unite him (her) unto Thy holy Church, through Jesus Christ our Lord, with Whom are due unto Thee dominion and majesty, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

and then the absolution formula:

May our Lord and God, Jesus Christ, through the grace and bounties of His love for mankind, forgive thee, my child, N., all thy transgressions. And I, His unworthy priest, through the power given unto me by Him, do forgive and absolve thee from all thy sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.



I'm not sure if the first two prayers are used in all Orthodox Churches but I believe the last one is specifically Russian. It's clearly a fairly recent one and it's a sign of Latin influence of the 17th century on the Russian Church. Other posters will correct me if I'm wrong but I think an absolution formula is not really needed in Orthodox confession. For example, before the 17th century in Russian Trebniks the priest said something like "Thy sins are on my neck, my child" (Slavonic: "На выѣ моей согрѣшенiя твоѧ чадо") which is a much better reflection of the priest role and of what's happening during the sacrament. Pity it has changed. The absolution formula looks too scholastic and too legalistic and therefore not consistent with the rest of the sacrament.
 
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musicluvr83

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Being a choir director, etc, I have the "Book of Needs" and scanned it in for you.

Confession_Page_1.jpg

Confession_Page_2.jpg

Confession_Page_3.jpg

Why PDF's aren't allowed to be uploaded on here is beyond me...but...I changed the file into a jpeg. Should be 3 pages. :)

Also, another slightly different translation exists here http://www.roacusa.org/Sevices%20and%20Rubrics/The%20Rite%20of%20Confession.pdf.
 
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musicluvr83

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What Church is it? OCA?

The "Book of Needs" was put out by the Antiochians. Although other translations have been made of all services contained within it, it's pretty popular nonetheless and is used by not just the Antiochians, but other jurisdictions as well like the OCA (where I am), the Greek Archdiocese, etc.
 
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Gregorios

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The form I am familiar with in my Parish (GOA)..and believe me I've heard it a lot lol is, "May God who pardoned David through Nathan the Prophet, Peter who wept bitterly for his denial, the thief who confessed his sins, the harlot, the publican and the Prodigal, forgive you all things through me a sinner, both in this world and in the world to come. Now, having no further care for the sins you have confessed, depart in peace. The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, through my insignificance has loosend and forgiven you. Amen."
 
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