Aisha
The concept of confession and absolution of sins has been a topic of debate among various Christian denominations, including the Orthodox Church. While some believe that only God can forgive sins, others hold that priests or bishops have the authority to grant forgiveness on His behalf. This power, known as apostolic succession, is derived from Christ's words in John 20:21-23, where He grants the Apostles the power to bind and loose sins.
In the Orthodox tradition, the priest or bishop does not claim to forgive sins independently but rather serves as an agent of God's forgiveness. The penitent confesses their sins to God in the presence of the priest, who acts as a witness and offers pastoral advice. This practice evolved from the early Church's public confession, where sins were confessed before the entire faith community.
However, this understanding differs from the Roman Catholic view, where the priest acts in the person of Christ and has the authority to forgive sins independently. The Orthodox Church emphasizes that only God can forgive sins and that the priest's role is to facilitate confession and provide spiritual guidance.
The question of whether a priest can forgive sins is a complex one, and it has been a subject of discussion and disagreement among Christian denominations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can forgive sins? | Only God can forgive sins |
| Who do you confess to? | God, through a priest or bishop |
| Who has the authority to forgive sins? | God has given priests and bishops the authority to forgive sins on His behalf |
| Who do priests and bishops represent? | They are the head of the community and stand in for the community |
| What is the role of the priest? | Witness of the faith community, spiritual father, offer pastoral advice |
| What is the role of confession? | To acknowledge that our sins affect the entire faith community |
| What is the purpose of confession? | To seek guidance and direction in overcoming sin |
| What is the Orthodox view of confession? | Confession is not understood as the priest acting in the person of Christ, but rather, God forgives through the priest |
What You'll Learn
The priest is an agent of God
In the early Church, confession was public; that is, one confessed their sins in the presence of the entire faith community. When this became impractical, it was the priest who "stood in" for the community, as its presiding officer and as its witness to the penitent’s repentance. We do not confess “to” the priest; rather, we confess to God “in the presence of” the priest. The priest is God's “witness” and having witnessed our confession of sins offers pastoral advice on how we can better our lives and overcome the very things we can confess.
The priest is not the agent of Christ, but Christ through the priest. The priest is there to help us overcome those things for which we seek forgiveness, to give advice that a friend or neighbor might not be in a position to give, and to bear witness on behalf of the faith community, of which he is the spiritual father, that we have indeed repented and been forgiven by God.
The priest is not our spiritual physician, but we do need their help and advice in overcoming the very things we have confessed. Just as one would not attempt to diagnose, much less cure, one’s own physical ailments, so too one should not attempt to diagnose, much less cure, one’s own spiritual ailments. The priest is there to help us overcome those things for which we seek forgiveness.
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Confession is to God, not the priest
In the Orthodox Church, the priest is not seen as replacing Christ but as an agent of God, and it is God who ultimately forgives sins. The priest is there to hear the confession and give pastoral advice, and through the gift of God, they are able to absolve sins. This is known as "apostolic succession" and is different from the Roman Catholic view, where the priest acts in the person of Christ and has the authority to forgive sins.
In the Orthodox faith, only God can forgive sins, and the priest is seen as a conduit for that forgiveness. The penitent confesses their sins to God through the priest, who is there as a witness and to offer guidance. This is in line with the early Church understanding, where the priest stood in for the entire faith community when confession was public.
The Orthodox view emphasizes that the priest is not the one doing the forgiving but is merely an intermediary, with God as the ultimate source of forgiveness. This is reflected in the Orthodox prayer of absolution, where the priest says, "God forgives you through me, a sinner."
While some may question the need for a priest in confession, the Orthodox Church teaches that just as one would seek medical help for physical ailments, so too should one seek spiritual guidance from a priest for spiritual ailments. It is also argued that confessing to a priest helps to hold oneself accountable and avoid repeating the same sins, which may indicate a lack of genuine repentance.
Furthermore, the act of confession is seen as an acknowledgment that our sins affect not only ourselves but also the entire faith community. By confessing in the presence of a priest, we recognize the communal nature of our faith and the need for guidance and support in our spiritual journey.
In conclusion, the Orthodox understanding of confession emphasizes that it is God who forgives sins, with the priest serving as a witness and guide in the process of repentance and forgiveness.
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The priest is a witness to the penitent's repentance
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the priest is a witness to the penitent's repentance. Confession is not made to the priest but to Christ, with the priest acting as a witness, friend, and advisor. The priest is there to listen to the confession and offer pastoral advice.
The priest's role in the Sacrament of Penance is to help the penitent overcome selfishness, to encourage them to live a holy life, and to bring them closer to Jesus. The priest also helps to heal the spiritual ailment confessed by the penitent, prescribing therapeutic penances, or epitemia, that are opposite to the sin committed. For example, if the penitent has stolen something, the priest may advise them to return the stolen item and give alms to the poor.
The priest's presence during confession is also important for the spiritual health and purity of the penitent. Confession is seen as a "second baptism", and the priest reminds the penitent to guard themselves from sin and to commune as often as permitted.
In summary, the priest is a witness to the penitent's repentance, offering guidance and support throughout the Sacrament of Penance and encouraging spiritual growth and healing.
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The priest offers pastoral advice
In the Orthodox Church, the priest does not forgive sins, but God forgives sins through the priest. The priest is there to hear the confession and give pastoral advice. The penitent confesses their sins to God through the priest, and through the gift of God, the priest is able to loosen the sins of the penitent. The priest is the spiritual father of the faith community and acts as a witness to the penitent's repentance.
The priest is present during confession to help the penitent overcome their sins and to give advice that a friend or neighbour might not be able to give. The priest is like a spiritual physician, diagnosing and curing the penitent's spiritual ailments. Just as one would not attempt to diagnose and cure their own physical ailments, so too should one not attempt to do the same with their spiritual ailments. The priest is there to guide and direct the penitent on their path to overcoming sin.
The priest also serves as a witness on behalf of the faith community. The penitent's sins affect not only themselves but also the entire faith community. By confessing in the presence of the priest, the penitent acknowledges the impact of their sins on the community and the need for guidance and forgiveness. The priest bears witness to the penitent's repentance and serves as a spiritual leader, offering advice and support.
In addition, the priest can provide guidance and direction in overcoming sin. They have been given the authority to forgive sins by God and are able to help the penitent find healing and strength to resist the confessed sins. The priest acts as a representative of God, and through their ordination, they are able to assist the penitent in their journey towards forgiveness and spiritual growth.
Furthermore, the priest plays a crucial role in maintaining the spiritual health of the individual and the community. By confessing to the priest, the penitent can receive personalised advice and support tailored to their specific situation. The priest can offer insights, prayers, and guidance that may not be available from other sources. They can help the penitent develop a plan for repentance and guide them towards a closer relationship with God.
In conclusion, the priest's role in the Orthodox Church is vital, as they offer pastoral advice, witness repentance, and guide the penitent towards spiritual healing and growth. Through their presence and authority, the priest assists the penitent in overcoming their sins and finding forgiveness and peace.
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Confession is not to be confused with forgiveness
The distinction between confession and forgiveness is important because it recognises that only God has the authority to grant forgiveness. By confessing to a priest, the individual is acknowledging their sins before God and seeking guidance to improve their lives and overcome their sins. The priest, as a spiritual leader, provides advice and support, but the act of forgiveness comes from God alone.
In the early Church, confession was a public act, with individuals confessing their sins to the entire faith community. Over time, this practice became impractical, and the priest assumed the role of representing the community. Today, confession in the presence of a priest acknowledges that our sins affect not only ourselves but also the wider faith community.
While confession is an important step towards forgiveness, it is not the same as forgiveness itself. Forgiveness requires genuine repentance and a desire to change. Confession is the act of admitting one's sins, while forgiveness is the act of granting pardon or absolution. The priest's role is to guide and support the penitent in their journey towards forgiveness, but the power to forgive remains with God.
Furthermore, confession is not just an external act of admitting one's sins but also an internal process of self-reflection and spiritual healing. By confessing to a priest, individuals can receive guidance and advice tailored to their specific situation. The priest, as a trained spiritual advisor, can provide insights and recommendations that friends or neighbours may not be able to offer.
In conclusion, confession and forgiveness are two distinct but interconnected aspects of the Christian faith. Confession involves admitting one's sins and seeking guidance, while forgiveness involves receiving pardon from God. The priest plays a crucial role in facilitating confession and guiding individuals towards forgiveness, but the ultimate authority to forgive sins rests with God alone.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, a priest can forgive sins in the Orthodox Church. However, it is important to note that the priest is not forgiving the sins himself, but rather, God is forgiving the sins through the priest, who acts as His representative.
While you can certainly confess directly to God in personal prayer, the Scriptures illustrate that Christ gave His disciples, and their successors, the authority to forgive sins. Additionally, confessing to a priest provides you with guidance and help in overcoming your sins, as they are well-versed in the sicknesses of the soul that sin can cause.
There is no definitive answer to this question, as it depends on the individual and their spiritual father. However, most Orthodox Christians choose to go to Confession during the four fasting periods, and before receiving Communion if they have only received it a few times a year or have committed a grave sin.
Preparing for Confession involves setting aside time for fasting, prayer, and reading and reflecting upon Holy Scriptures and other spiritual writings. It is important to actively contemplate your sins by reflecting on the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, and other teachings of Christ.
