Confession and Repentance

The Mystery of confessing our sins is a great gift to us in our life of repentance. Considered a sacrament of healing, it is a chance to come before the Lord as Physician of our souls. The priest stands not as judge but as witness and friend as the penitent confesses to the Lord. See below for resources to prepare for confession.

Self-Examination before Confession

Our Holy Tradition has given us many resources to help focus our preparation to confess our sins. Many prayer books include such a guide, and here is one by the Holy Martyr Nicolas Varzhansky (+1918).

The Confession of St John

Another way to learn how to confess our sins is to read the confession of a Saint. Our Righteous Father John of Kronstadt (+1908) wrote this beautiful — and comprehensive! — confession.