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I have a question for my Orthodox brethren (particularly those who may have converted from the Eastern Catholic Church).

If I were to convert to Holy Orthodoxy from the Ruthenian Catholic Church, (I'm considering OCA), when I make my first confession, is it a lifetime confession (as if I had never been to confession prior)?

Peace and blessings,
Recluse

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Recluse,

Last year when I made my "first confession" in the Orthodox Church I approached it from the perspective that it was simply my next confession...I would not think to look at the prior 25+ years as invalid...and I'm sure that wouldn't be how the OCA would want you to look at it...This is definitely an "Ask your priest" question...

Chris

Thanks Chris!

Dear Recluse,

My problem would be that if I wanted to convert, I might just blurt out as my first sin that I . . . left the Catholic church . . . sniff . . .

Alex

Or that you didn't return home sooner!!!

Chris (I can feel the daggers coming at me as people read this!!!)

Don't worry. No Orthodox priest expects a full life confession.
Nor is a detailed list of sins expected. What is important is an acknowledgement of your sins as sins, a desire to repent. Your priest will probably offer advice or encouragement etc.
However, your priest will prepare you with what to expect so don't worry.

I suppose one could feel that way--in which case one should not convert.

But I am convinced that I would be returning to my true patrimony.

Peace and blessings,
Recluse

Whew! That is a relief. The priest would have had to set aside an entire week for my confession.

Very well put...
I have yet to receive "a penance" from my Father Confessor in the Orthodox Church...it is a very different experience from what I experienced in the BCC...To this point it has been more of going to a Dr. and getting guidance in how to live a healther life...not the ole say two hail mary's and call me in the AM...

Recluse,

That you might even consider repeating a previous confession in the Orthodox faith reflects a very big spiritual problem in your faith in the power of the absolution of the confessional.

Your sins were forgiven by Christ Himself. They are not on your soul. If an Orthodox priest told you otherwise, you would have a doubt instilled in you in the efficacy of your previous confessions.

I take it that you were only asking a procedural question.

Rufinus

Recluse,

I forgot - I shall pray for you today. Your #1 on today's intentions.

R.

Correct.

I appreciate the prayers--I need them.

For a couple years now, a small still voice has been calling me to complete my journey, return to my patrimony, and enter the Holy Orthodox Church. It has been a long and arduos period of discernment. When the BCC promulgated an error ridden and politically correct Divine Liturgy with awkward music, I knew that it was time move on.

Again, thank you for your prayers.

Recluse

I was chrismated into the Orthodox Church and was told that the chrismation washed away my sins and that a private confession was unnecessary, though I offered to make one.

In any case, I didn't "need" to go to confession at the time (I had gone just before Pascha and was chrismated just after Pascha) and really the Carpatho-Rusyns are pretty relaxed about the whole thing anyway.

Recluse, I'd check out ACROD if you've got a parish nearby. Metropolitan Nicholas is an amazing man -- truly a great Hierarch!

That's an understatement!!!