Confession

Repentance spoken aloud, before Christ, with the priest standing beside you as a witness.

Orthodox confession is the mystery of repentance: a Christian tells his or her sins to God in the presence of a priest, who stands beside them as a witness and reads a prayer of absolution. It is prepared for with an examination of conscience, often by the Ten Commandments. How often people confess varies by jurisdiction, parish and priest; what is said is never repeated.

Confession is one of the mysteries of the Church, the way back to God for a baptised Christian who has sinned. It is not a courtroom but a place of healing. The penitent speaks to Christ, and the priest is there as a witness and as a physician, to help the penitent see clearly and to pronounce God's forgiveness.

Today priest and penitent usually stand side by side, before the altar or at a stand set apart in the church for confession. The penitent names his or her sins plainly, without excuses and without dwelling on other people's. The priest may give counsel, and then reads the prayer of absolution. In Greek use it is said in the third person, "may God forgive you"; in Russian use, in the first. The order of the service is traced to Patriarch John the Faster of Constantinople.

To prepare, Orthodox Christians examine their conscience, often by the Ten Commandments, and pray before coming. How often they confess differs: some in each fasting season, others monthly, others before Communion, as their priest directs. What is said in confession is kept in absolute secrecy, because it was said not to the priest but to God.

Questions about Confession

What do I say in an Orthodox confession?

Name your sins plainly and briefly, as you would to Christ, without excusing them or speaking of others' sins. If you are unsure how to begin, tell the priest; he will help you.

How often do Orthodox Christians go to confession?

It varies by jurisdiction, parish and priest. Some confess in each of the fasting seasons, some monthly, and some before receiving Communion. Your priest sets the measure with you.

How do I prepare for confession?

Pray, and examine your conscience; the Ten Commandments are often used as a guide. Many prayer books carry prayers before confession.

Will the priest tell anyone what I confess?

No. The secrecy of confession is absolute in the Orthodox Church, because the priest is only a witness: the confession is made to God.

More questions about the Orthodox Church, answered ›

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:9 (King James Version, public domain)

In Orthros

Orthros carries the prayers before and after Holy Communion and the prayers for every need, each with its source shown; the measure of repentance is worked out with your priest, not an app.