All Christians seek to live their lives according to Jesus Christ’s teachings. He calls us to be God-like, to exercise righteousness, and live a life that pleases Him. If we are honest with ourselves, we stray from this goal on a daily (if not hourly) basis. We drift away, fall short, and cave to the temptation of sin. To combat this sickness of the soul, Christ instituted the Mystery of Confession (sometimes called Penance). In this post, we explain what the sacrament of Confession is, why we need it, and how often Orthodox Christians should go.
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
What is sin?
Before we discuss the sacrament of Confession, we need to understand what sin means according to Orthodox theology. Unlike the legalistic approach of Western Catholicism, the Eastern Orthodox Church views sin more simply, as anything “missing the mark” or “going off course” (Hebrew: chata; Greek: hamartia, both of which also translate as “to sin”). Anything that causes us to falls short of the life God wants us to live would be considered a sin.
Concerning our sins, God’s Word gives a marvelous promise. “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). We are to bring our sins to God in repentance and receive that cleansing and forgiveness.
The Sacrament of Confession
Confession is a Sacrament, or Mystery, of the Church, a way in which we can experience God in His fullness here on earth. When we sin, we damage our relationship with God and with the members of His Body, the Church. Sin ultimately alienates us from God, from our fellow human beings, and from our own true selves. During Confession, we acknowledge our sins out loud to God in the presence of the priest.
The early Christian community had a specific practice in this regard: people would stand and confess their sins to God in the presence of the whole congregation. Indeed, Jesus encouraged His followers to walk in the light together, to confront problems corporately, to “tell it to the Church” (Mt. 18:17). Thus, James writes, “Confess your trespasses to one another” (5:16). But as time went on and the Church grew in numbers, strangers came to visit and public confession became more difficult. Out of mercy, priests began to witness confessions of sin privately on behalf of the Church.
Why confess to a priest?
The Scriptures clearly illustrate the authority Christ gave His disciples – and their successors via the laying on of hands (2 Timothy 1:6) – to forgive sins (John 20:23; see also Mt. 16:19). From the beginning, Christians understood that the grace of ordination endowed the shepherd of the flock with the discernment and compassion to offer guidance and remit confessed sins on behalf of Christ.
One clarification: we do not confess to the priest himself; we confess to God in the presence of the priest. You might ask, “But can’t I just confess to God privately? Why do I need a priest?” You most certainly can confess to God in personal prayer; however, there is no clear biblical basis for this practice. Even general confession occurs within the context of the Body of the Church. In His mercy, God provides the sacrament of confession to give us deliverance from sin and from denial. It is easy for us to pray in isolation yet never come clean about our sins or attempt to change. It is far more effective to confess aloud to God before a priest and benefit from his guidance and help.
Through the Grace of God, the priest became a spiritual doctor when he was ordained. He is well-versed in the sicknesses of the soul that sin can cause. We look to him to guide us, to diagnose our sickness and help us to live a more godly life. He draws on the knowledge of the Orthodox Church and the Holy Fathers to provide you with a “treatment” for your sins, so you can walk away from Confession free from your guilt, absolved of the evils you have done. And then, you can strive to “go and sin no more” (John 8:11).
Keep Reading: What Does The Bible Really Say About Confession?
Why do we need to repent at all?
- Confession reconciles us with the Body of Christ.
When we sin, we distance ourselves from others emotionally, spiritually, and sometimes physically. After we confess to God, He wipes those sins away and allows us to draw closer to the family we have in Christ, the Church. - Confession is cathartic.
Sometimes, when we need to get something off our chests, we go to a trusted friend, a parent, or a sibling. And after we say everything out loud to that person, suddenly we feel better about whatever it was that troubled us. Orthodox Confession works in the same way. After admitting our sins to God in the presence of the priest, we experience that relief that comes from “getting it off our chest.” - Confession provides us with a diagnosis.
How can we know we are sick, unless we go to a doctor regularly to ensure that we aren’t? Frequent confession allows us to cleanse our souls of the evils we commit. The longer we stay away from the doctor, the higher our chances of becoming ill.
How often should I go to Confession?
Unfortunately, there is no cut and dry answer to this question. Most Orthodox choose to go to Confession during the four fasting periods, as these are customary times when we focus on spiritual renewal, almsgiving, and repentance.
The frequency of Confession is often left to the discretion of the individual and his/her spiritual father. Typically, if you only receive Communion a few times a year or committed a grave sin (murder, adultery, etc.), Confession before receiving Communion becomes necessary for spiritual growth. However, as most Orthodox partake of the Eucharist on a weekly basis, you may not need to attend formal Confession before a priest as often.
How to prepare for Confession
It is important for us to set aside time to properly prepare for the Mystery of Confession. We do this through fasting, prayer, and reading and reflecting upon the Holy Scriptures and other spiritual writings/books. Perhaps the most important way we prepare to confess our sins is to actively contemplate what those sins are by reflecting upon the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, and other teachings of Christ in which He teaches us what thoughts, words, and deeds He expects of His children.
Conclusion
As Orthodox Christians, we must always examine ourselves. We should partake in the Life of the Church as frequently as possible, as it is our way of communing with God in this fallen world. When Orthodox faithful confess our sins, we receive forgiveness from God Himself through the Mystery of Confession. We receive His mercy and His love, and we receive yet another chance to become the person God wants us to be.
Read More: What Does It Mean To Repent?
18 Responses
I am investigating Orthodoxy. I wanted to know what sins will God not forgive in private prayer or confession? Would it be comparable to mortal sins in Roman Catholicism. I have been reading St. Cyril’s On Repentance and Remission of Sins and have many questions.
David,
Christ is in our midst! There is no sin the Lord will not forgive, if one is truly repentant of that sin. If the sin is one that has more of a detrimental effect upon the soul, one should confess that in the presence of the priest. Please feel free to ask any follow-up questions you may have – God bless!
actually, I’ve been thinking about this too. I know this comment is from 2 years ago but, St John church, please answer me this: do we HAVE to go to holy confession in order for our mortal sins like lust, murder, false witness, etc to be forgiven like the Catholics do???
Jack,
Christ is in our midst! Strictly speaking, no. God will have mercy upon whom He will have mercy (Romans 9:18). There may, for instance, be a circumstance in which a priest is unavailable to you. Does this then mean that your sins are not forgiven by God, because you could not be in the presence of the priest who could absolve them? Certainly not! In Orthodoxy, Holy Confession is one of the Mysteries or Sacraments. This essentially means that it is one of the many ways we can directly participate in the energies of God and receive divine grace. It is a glorious gift, not a rigid requirement. And those who seek true communion with the Lord will avail themselves to the gifts He has left for them in the life of the Church. We hope this helps answer your question. God bless!
Okay I get it!!! So does that mean if holy confession is unavailable for me, I can pray to God to have my mortal sins forgiven???
Jack,
Christ is in our midst. Essentially, yes. But if you DO have access to an Orthodox parish and an Orthodox priest, we implore you to avail yourself of the gift of the Mystery! God bless!
How to find an Eastern orthodox church in San Antonio, Tx?
Vanessa,
Christ is in our midst! We would highly recommend doing a Google search for an Orthodox church in San Antonio. That should at least yield some preliminary results for you of some parishes that may be close by. From Google Maps you can usually click straight to the church’s website to see when services are held. If you cannot find that information, placing a call to the church’s office is always the next best thing. Then, start visiting! Rotate among the different churches each week until you find one that feels like home. San Antonio appears to have many Eastern Orthodox parishes from several different jurisdictions – Antiochian (like us), OCA, Greek, ROCOR, and Romanian. You are sure to find a home. Just be patient with yourself as you visit and navigate everything.
A word of caution: if you are indeed searching for an Eastern Orthodox Church, you will want to pass over any Indian or Coptic Orthodox churches you may find, as they are not in communion with the Eastern Orthodox. May God bless you in your search!
Will God not forgive sins confessed to Him in private prayer?
J,
Thank you for your question. Of course, God will forgive you. However, there is no accountability in keeping your sins secret from your brothers and sisters. When any one of us sins, it irrevocably affects the rest of the Body of Christ. Thus, we must confess our sins aloud to one another, as the Scripture says. When we confess in the presence of the priest, he stands in as a representative for the rest of the congregation to hear our confession. God bless!
Do you have to be baptized into the church to participate in Confession?
Davis,
Christ is risen! Yes, one must be a baptized and chrismated Orthodox Christian to participate in the Holy Mysteries of the Church. However, this does not mean you cannot seek the counsel of a priest regarding certain sins or passions you may be battling. God bless!
If a spouse admits to adultery during a life confession (as part of the catechumenate), is an Orthodox priest ever obligated to disclose this to the other spouse? More broadly, how does the Orthodox Church approach situations in which one spouse confesses infidelity or adultery?
Ken,
Christ is in our midst! Thank you for your thoughtful question. The Orthodox Church takes both the sacrament of confession and the pastoral care of married couples very seriously. First, it’s important to understand that confession is strictly confidential. When someone confesses — whether as a catechumen or a baptized member — the priest is absolutely forbidden to reveal anything heard in confession to anyone, including a spouse. This confidentiality is considered inviolable, and breaking it is a grave violation of priestly duty. The seal of confession exists to ensure that the penitent can be completely honest and open before God, trusting the priest as a spiritual physician.
However, the priest will often encourage or even urge the person who has committed adultery to address the situation with their spouse outside of confession, especially if ongoing deception is harming the marriage or family. The priest may offer spiritual guidance, counseling, and help in finding a path toward repentance, healing, and, where possible, reconciliation. When one spouse confesses infidelity, the priest’s role is to help the person repent sincerely and take responsibility for their actions. The Church’s aim is always the salvation and healing of all involved. Each situation is unique, so priests handle these matters with prayerful discernment, compassion, and a desire to guide people in truth and love. God bless!
Does going to confession and doing the penance take away the punishment of the sin and time in pugatory?
Barb,
Christ is in our midst! Thank you for your question. The Orthodox Church’s understanding of sin, confession, and what happens after death is actually quite different from the Roman Catholic view, especially regarding the idea of “purgatory.” In Eastern Orthodox Christianity, when we go to confession and sincerely repent, God forgives our sins completely. The main purpose of confession is reconciliation with God and the healing of the soul, not legal satisfaction or the payment of a debt. The “penance” (or “epitimia”) sometimes given by a priest isn’t a punishment or a way to “earn” forgiveness. Instead, it’s meant to guide a person’s spiritual growth and to restore their relationship with God and others.
Additionally, the Orthodox Church does not teach the doctrine of purgatory as it is understood in Roman Catholicism. We believe that after death, we await the final judgment, and that the prayers of the Church and the love of God can help us even after death. But there isn’t a specific place or period of punishment where souls are purified through suffering before entering heaven. If you have more questions about confession or Orthodox beliefs about life after death, please feel free to ask. God bless!
This was the best article and description about our need for confession, and how it works through the Orthodox Church practice and understanding of it. I am saving it and keeping a folder with my Orhodox teachings and will study some more, as I am comparing what other churches beliefs and how they practice confession. I am fasinated to research the topic and practice that goes all the way back to Jesus and his apostles in the bible. I have always been drawn to the Orthodox Church year after year but have always lived outside my ability to get to church, as I do not have a car and the buses are not running on Sundays where I live, or they are too far away to travel on a bus which does not even go near the church. There was a time I did live nearer to one, and I did attend many services throughout some years. ( I am disabled senior, although I can still walk, I use a walker for longer distances). It always seems out of reach for me, and yet my heart and spirit are with the Orthodox Church. I have a Orthodox Study Bible at home, and I wish that I could do my preparation to become Orthodox over the internet with a church like yours, but I have been told one must have to be able to attend church psyically. I am on HUD senior housing, therefore limited about where I can live or where those apartments are located. I hope in the future to move to a town closer to an Orthodox Church. Can you offer help or advice to me?
Birdlynn,
Christ is Risen!
Thank you for your heartfelt comment and for sharing your story with us. We are deeply moved by your sincere desire to continue learning about the Orthodox faith and your perseverance despite the challenges you face. Your love for the Church shines through your words, and it is truly inspiring to hear how the Holy Spirit continues to draw you closer, even when physical circumstances make participation difficult.
Please know that you are not alone. Many people, for various reasons, find themselves far from an Orthodox parish or unable to attend in person. The Orthodox Church teaches that our spiritual journey is not limited by geography or mobility. What matters most is your sincere love for God and your desire to be united with Him and His Church.
Here are a few thoughts and suggestions that may help. First, continue to pray, read your Orthodox Study Bible, and learn as much as you can from trusted Orthodox sources online. Many excellent Orthodox podcasts, livestreams, and websites offer spiritual nourishment, including services, prayers, and educational content. Second, even if you cannot attend services regularly, most priests are very understanding about the difficulties many people face. Try reaching out by phone or email to the nearest Orthodox parish. Explain your situation. Many priests are willing to offer spiritual support, answer questions, and may even be able to visit you or help arrange transportation on occasion.
Some Orthodox parishes and missions now offer online catechism classes or discussion groups for inquirers and catechumens who cannot attend in person. Ask local parishes or look for reputable Orthodox organizations offering virtual instruction and support. You can also pray the daily prayers, read Scripture, and keep the feasts and fasts as best you are able. Lighting a candle, keeping an icon corner, and following the liturgical calendar from home is a beautiful way to stay connected to the life of the Church.
Then, when the time is right, seek reception into the Church. While in-person attendance is the norm, the Church recognizes that sometimes circumstances require economia (pastoral flexibility). If you continue to desire to become Orthodox, discuss your situation openly with a priest. There may be a way forward tailored to your needs, especially considering your sincere faith and unique circumstances.
You are always welcome in the Orthodox Church, and we pray that God will continue to guide, strengthen, and comfort you. If you have specific questions or need help finding resources or making contact with a priest, please let us know. We would be glad to assist however we can. May Christ our God bless you and grant you His peace, and may the Theotokos watch over you on your journey!