When we begin our lives as Christians our sins are washed from us through the grace of the baptismal font. However, inevitably, we will stumble upon our journey and sin again. The sacrament of confession is a gift from God that allows us to offer up our sins to God in repentance, so that we may be forgiven of them and reclaim the original purity which our baptism has graced us with. The sacrament of confession has been a part of the Christian faith since its earliest days, helping fallen humanity overcome our propensity to sin.
The Epistle of James enjoins us to confess our sins: “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (5:16). In the days of the early Church, sins were confessed in the presence of the congregation. As the Church grew, however, dispensation was given for confession to take place privately, between an individual and a priest. Unlike the Roman Catholic Church, where confessions often take place anonymously behind a screen, in the Orthodox Church we meet face to face with our confessor, giving us an opportunity to speak to him and receive guidance.
Regular confession is a cornerstone of Orthodox practice. By confessing our sins before God and our priest, we maintain the strong connection to Christ which was first forged for us in the baptismal font. Confession can be received at any time, though it is especially encouraged during the major fasting periods of the Church calendar. If you are an Orthodox Christian and would like to schedule a confession, please reach out to Father Michael or one of our other priests.
