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I am just wandering about the frequency of confession within the Eastern Churches. I understand the distinction between mortal and venial sins in the western tradition isn't as strongly present in the east. But how often does one confess without committing any "serious" sins? Does the seriousness of the sin dictate also when one receives the mystery?

I would appreciate any information that you have on this topic.

In Christ,

Devo

Glory to Jesus Christ!

I'm pretty early in my journey the East myself, Devo. However, I have read that Byzantine moral theology calls mortal sins simply sins, whereas venial sins are considered in the East to be transgressions. Sins are, therefore, those offenses against God that are more deliberate and willful, while transgressions are more accidental - well, transgressions - owing to the weakness of the human condition.

Some of you "Fathers of the Forum," give me a hand - am I correct in what I say?

Blessings to you, Devo, during the Great Fast and for Pascha !

Sam

OOPS!

Didn't finish answering your question, Devo, but as far as frequency of the Holy Mystery of Penance, from the various discussions of read, it seems that Orthodox - and, by association, Byzantine Catholic - Tradition calls for us to avail ourselves of this Mystery often.

Again, you "Fathers," how frequently is frequently in the Byzantine Tradition ?

Blessings of our Lord,God and Savior Jesus Christ to all !!

Sam

That is up to one's spiritual father. Some prefer their spiritual children to receive this mystery weekly, before every Communion, but this is rare. Others refuse to bless their spiritual children to confess this often, as it doesn't not allow adequate time to reflect on one's sins, and confessions become "rote" and not truly penitential. This is naturally waived if there is a more serious sin, or one which weighs heavily on the conscience. Typically a bare minimum is four times a year, during the four major fasts (The Nativity Fast, the Theotokos Fast, the Apostles' Fast, and, of course, the Great Fast.)

This is something one should discuss with one's spiritual father, however, before forming any fixed idea of when...If you have no particular thoughts on the matter, it may help to do a "year in review"...when are your main "stress points" during the year? Does getting the kids back to school create tension? Or planning the family Fourth of July Reunion? THOSE are good times to seek the healing sacrament of Confession. Need an operation or other medical treatment? Confession should be an integral part of your "pre-op planning". So...bearing this in mind, you will be ready if your spiritual father tosses back at you.."HOW often do YOU feel the need to go to confession?"

Bear in mind, no matter HOW frequently, proper prayerful preparation is essential. Looking at the 10 Commandments alone without reflection, and adding the "seven deadly sins" is only a start...and may lead one to think that one has done little that needs confessing! A few hours with the Church Fathers generally disabuses one of this idea quickly

Gaudior, begging forgivness for my sins

Alright,

Now that we are on the subject, what do you guys think is the best way to prepare for this mystery?

Thanks again,

Devo

One underlying issue is whether confession is viewed as restorative or as pastoral counseling. The early Church and Byzantine (Mediterranean) Church tended/tends toward the former. The Slavic Church tended/tends toward the latter.

To be fair, the East has no canonical "requirement" for regular confession or a spiritual father, all though both are good.

The early Church had a "one-time" open confession of sins in the early and very intimate eucharistic gatherings. We shudder at this now, forgetting that these Christians underwent persecutions, tortures, and death in order to gather in these assemblies. They were not assembled there out of prurient interest in the sins of the soon-to-be-baptized.

The (local Western) Council of Chalons in 831 AD actually points to this lack of a requirement for regular confession (paraphrasing) 'in that some prefer to confess to God directly from whom they do indeed receive forgiveness and reconcilliation. Others confess to a confessor from whom they get the added benefit of instruction on how not to sin again.'

So the Church is clearly leaving open both ways but is saying that it is advantageous to have a confessor/spiritual father, especially if one is repeating the same sins.

Some, but not all, bishops refuse to ordain men who do not have a regular spiritual father/confessor. That is clearly their perrogative. (However, not having regular confession or a confessor/spiritual father is not listed as a sin or impediment to ordination in the scriptures or the canons.)

The "requirement" to confess comes in cases where the offence takes one out of communion. These offences are certainly the "mortal sins" but also include others as well that have canonical pennances attached. These are explained quite well in the Holy Canons.

The "requirement" comes in that the confessor, along with the bishop possibly, needs to ascertain the penitent's contrition and apply only the amount and type of medicine appropriate to the patient. For this reason, the canonical pennances (ten years for abortion, seven years excommunication for fornication, as two handy examples) are simply guideposts that show us the relevant seriousness of the offences.

Too often today, confessors hear confessions of major sins and immediately apply absolution, since their service book has such printed in it. They haven't considered that the penitent may need some time to really discern the gravity of what they have done to harm the image of Christ in themselves and others.

Probably, IMHO, the single greatest reason that folks don't make more use of sacramental confession is the simple fact that so many of the available confessors are such poor role models.

In "the old days," the bishops designated only certain holy men and women to hear confessions. This was their "vocation" and they did it well, travelling from village to city, over hills and streams, maintaining life-long relationships with their flock.

Now days, confessors (usually clergy) pick up and leave every five years or so that they can further their careers (I'm not upset at them for this, especially when they have their own families with which to be concerned). To me, it seems that it would take two or three years just to know if someone would make a good confessor. However, if the confessors were few, specilaized, and permanent, I think that it would make a big difference.

In Christ,
Andrew

Dear Devo,

The frequency of Confession for purposes of regular reception of Holy Communion depends on the person himself or herself.

If serious sin is absent and if one is leading a prayerful, liturgical life in the Church, monthly confession is recommended for this purpose - assuming one doesn't have a spiritual Father who may say otherwise.

What is to be avoided is a focus on Confession itself to make infrequent Confession an "excuse" for not attending Holy Communion more frequently.

If we feel the need to go to confession more frequently - then we should do so!

As for preparation, I think the best preparation for both Confession and Holy Communion are the formal offices and prayers of the Church that are designated as such.

The Canon of St Andrew of Crete can be read, even with prostrations, as an excellent preparation for Confession - including Psalm 51 and Psalm 118/119.

That is lengthy, but it is the BEST way to prepare for confession as is the reading on a good confession that is found in "The Way of the Pilgrim" or in our prayerbooks.

The Eastern Church traditionally prescribes attendance at Vespers, Mattins and the full cycle of the Horologion for an entire day prior to the Divine Liturgy.

The Canons to our Lord Jesus, the Mother of God, the Guardian Angel and before Holy Communion, with an Akathist, should be included with the formal office of Preparation.

The Jesus Prayer with prostrations or bows is also an excellent way to prepare.

I also find it VERY beneficial to, when having received Holy Communion, immediately pray the Magnificat "My soul magnifies the Lord" with the Mother of God.

Alex

For the Canon of St. Andrew of Crete, if I were to recite it in private, would I have to say it on this coming Wednesday evening or would it be permissable to say it this Tuesday (tomorrow) before I receive the mystery of reconcillation.

You guys are great for answering all my questions,

Devo

Dear Friends,
As a Pastor, I reccommend to my parishioners to come to the Mystery of Holy Repentance at least 4 times a year, especially during each of the Fasting periods. For those who come to me for spiritual direction, we celebrate the Mystery about every month to six weeks. Unworthy sinner that I am, I try to go to the Mystery myself every other week. I have found this frequency to be very helpful, but I and my spiritual father also do spiritual direction during this time. I need it!
the unworthy priest,
Fr. Vladimir

Dear Brethren and Fr. Vladimir,

In regard to venial sins (not mortal sins), does the confessor ask about them specifically, or is it up to the penitent to bring them up?

Thanks.

In Christ,
Alice

P.S. Andrew: I enjoyed your above post.
Fr. Vladimir: I am enjoying your pastoral insights...

Dear Devo,

Actually, you can recite the Canon any time in private as it would be a private prayer in preparation for Confession.

I once worked for a very pious ROCOR Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Christian whose house was one big icon corner!

He invited me to his home once and I found him in a rather depressed state.

He said he had been to Confession that morning, but that his priest had refused to give him absolution.

He had apparently gone to Confession three weeks prior and had returned to confess the same sin . . .

Father then said, "Now, Vlad, don't be upset, but this isn't a joke, you know. I"m not going to give you absolution. Kiss the Cross and the Gospels and come back when you've considered the gravity of your sin and have determined to amend your life etc."

As he was leaving, his priest quickly asked him, "And did you say the Canon of St Andrew before you came today?" "Well, no, Father . . ." came the reply.

Alex

Dear Alice,

As I understand it, it is up to us to mention all grave sin, the kind of sin that, as Andrew said, cuts us off from communion.

As for lesser, "daily" sins, I think it is good to mention those we commit with some frequency as these can lead us into serious sin, if left unchecked.

And "serious sin" does not need to be a matter of great consequence to be a "serious sin."

Even when it is about a small matter, if we commit the sin with full intent on disobeying or else rebelling against God's Will then . . .

Remember what happened with that little apple in the Garden so long ago!

In the 19th century, atheists actually ridiculed the idea that God would cast out Adam and Eve for the "insignificant act of eating an apple."

But it was not about the apple - it was about disobeying God with the full intent of rebelling against His Word.

Alex

Bless, Father Vladimir!

Interestingly, the Kyivan-Mohyla Academy once required of its students that they attend Confession during each of the fasting periods, as you state, but TWICE during the Great Fast.

For more frequent Confession, I think having a spiritual Father or a regular confessor is a great help.

I prefer to attend Confession when Father has more time on his hands so I can go into detail and he can have the opportunity to figure me out better . . .

A daunting task in and of itself . . .

Kissing your right hand, I again implore your blessing,

Alex

Andrew, I must say that I think your post takes some things out of context and makes some erroneous statements.

1) Do you have the rest of that canon from Chalons? Or, do you have exact words? Confessing "directly to God" is NOT a substitute for the Sacrament of Confession. Confessing to a confessor is not just for the sake of instruction either. It is because only the priest has received from Christ the injunction "whose sins you shall forgive they are forgiven."

2) Where did you read that "certain holy men and women" were deputized to hear confessions? IF there ever was such a thing, it was not sacramental confession and should not be confused with sacramental confession. But I have never seen any evidence that women heard confessions of any kind.

God bless.

LatinTrad

LT,

Do not cofuse confession with absolution. In the East it was very common to confess to a spiritual elder who would then send one to a priest for absolution.

Fr. Deacon Lance