ITT: Revelations Within the Mystery of Confession

[Asteriktos]

Second-to-last confession I was at I was kneeling and got a cramp in my leg during the prayers at the end, and I tried to just soldier through it but couldn't and had to re-adjust and got into a genuflecting position. Afterwards I explained what happened and Fr. said something like "oh, ok, I was wondering." I don't know what the advice is exactly, but I'm sure there's something helpful in there somewhere about the redemptive value of suffering.

 

[rakovsky]

Second-to-last confession I was at I was kneeling and got a cramp in my leg during the prayers at the end,

I've had alot of confessions that were either kneeling or bending at the waist. Probably all of them were that way.

In one Greek church that I confessed at twice though, before the absolution as I described above, the confession was practically a quiet discussion sitting next to the priest in a front pew. I don't know how many of you have ever done it that way before. During the discussion, I almost always looked straight at the iconostasis and away from the priest. It was either because I unknowingly felt awkward describing my actions or because I am used to confessing while facing at an ikon. I feel more comfortable doing the latter.

 

[hecma925]

"Don't isolate yourself further.  This is a temptation."

 

[Justin Kolodziej]

Second-to-last confession I was at I was kneeling and got a cramp in my leg during the prayers at the end,

I've had alot of confessions that were either kneeling or bending at the waist. Probably all of them were that way.

In one Greek church that I confessed at twice though, before the absolution as I described above, the confession was practically a quiet discussion sitting next to the priest in a front pew. I don't know how many of you have ever done it that way before. During the discussion, I almost always looked straight at the iconostasis and away from the priest. It was either because I unknowingly felt awkward describing my actions or because I am used to confessing while facing at an ikon. I feel more comfortable doing the latter.

That's the Greek way, for better or worse. Though last time it was in his office and the opening and absolution were in the icon corner.

 

[Dominika]

Second-to-last confession I was at I was kneeling and got a cramp in my leg during the prayers at the end,

I've had alot of confessions that were either kneeling or bending at the waist. Probably all of them were that way.

In one Greek church that I confessed at twice though, before the absolution as I described above, the confession was practically a quiet discussion sitting next to the priest in a front pew. I don't know how many of you have ever done it that way before. During the discussion, I almost always looked straight at the iconostasis and away from the priest. It was either because I unknowingly felt awkward describing my actions or because I am used to confessing while facing at an ikon. I feel more comfortable doing the latter.

That's the Greek way, for better or worse. Though last time it was in his office and the opening and absolution were in the icon corner.

It happens also in Poland and Romania.

 

[hecma925]

For the first time in my confessing history, the priest (AANA) told me, "This is a good confession," before praying for absolution.  This was not my regular confessor.

 

[hecma925]

The Nativity Fast is coming!  Have you been to Confession recently?

 

[platypus]

Once after I finished confessing, the priest leaned towards me, looking concerned. "Are you on drugs?" he asked.

"No, father," I told him truthfully.

Never gonna forget that one. It was in highschool. I don't know if I just looked like the type or if he asked that to everyone my age.

 

[Asteriktos]

During my last confession I was encouraged to agree with "Men's rights" talking points and had a popular book along those lines recommended to me.

 

[Briven]

During my last confession I was encouraged to agree with "Men's rights" talking points and had a popular book along those lines recommended to me.

Seriously? That stuff is plain not Orthodox.

 

[Sharbel]

I did.  The priest was giving me guidance after my confessing my sins and he lost the train of thought and apologized for mumbling.  I had to correct him that each of his words were reaching my heart, correcting and comforting me at the same time, on struggles that I hadn't mentioned.  TFW God is using the priest to talk to you and he doesn't realize it.  :angel:

 

[RaphaCam]

Once after I finished confessing, the priest leaned towards me, looking concerned. "Are you on drugs?" he asked.

"No, father," I told him truthfully.

Never gonna forget that one. It was in highschool. I don't know if I just looked like the type or if he asked that to everyone my age.

LOL

I have been asked this by policemen I had just summoned to report a mugging once, but I was just too nervous and confused by the situation. They ended up not even believing my statement.  :-\

 

[Tzimis]

I did.  The priest was giving me guidance after my confessing my sins and he lost the train of thought and apologized for mumbling.  I had to correct him that each of his words were reaching my heart, correcting and comforting me at the same time, on struggles that I hadn't mentioned.  TFW God is using the priest to talk to you and he doesn't realize it.  :angel:

How is a confession valid if your holding back on struggles?

 

[Sharbel]

How is a confession valid if your holding back on struggles?

Not all struggles are matters for confession.  Or do you confess your struggle between cheesecake and hazelnut pie?

 

[hecma925]

How is a confession valid if your holding back on struggles?

Not all struggles are matters for confession.  Or do you confess your struggle between cheesecake and hazelnut pie?

Peach pie with vanilla ice cream or cheesecake with blackberry sauce.  What a spiritual conundrum.

 

[Sharbel]

Peach pie with vanilla ice cream or cheesecake with blackberry sauce.  What a spiritual conundrum.

Father, bless!

 

[hecma925]

Peach pie with vanilla ice cream or cheesecake with blackberry sauce.  What a spiritual conundrum.

Father, bless!

Is peach and blackberry not fruit?  Be at piece (of pie).

 

[Asteriktos]

And so the pastries said, "For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up" (Ps. 69:9)

 

[Sharbel]

And so the pastries said, "For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up" (Ps. 69:9)

 

[hecma925]

"Is that it?"

 

[biro]

My priest recently told me that because I have a medical condition, seizures resulting from a stroke, I could eat a little more calories than usual during a fast.

 

[Jude1:3]

 

[Gebre Menfes Kidus]

In this thread, please reveal advice given to you by your confessor without any context!

I was told to pray the Jesus Prayer more often. 

I'll let you decide for what reason.

Forgive me, but I don't like this icon.

Selam

 

[hecma925]

What is there to forgive?  There are plenty of icons I don't like.

 

[hecma925]

"Do spiritual reading to help motivate prayer."

 

[Tannhouser]

Recently I went through my first confession. I don't want to over spiritualize the experience itself, but it was quite surreal. During the confession, it seemed like an other-worldly event. Quite humbling.

 

[hecma925]

"Humble yourself."

 

[Stinky]

" You know what to do now. "

 

[Vladimir Al-Masih]

I think the best confession I ever had was with a very old priest and I'm not sure he could hear well. As I enumerated my misdeeds, he would just say "God be with you." After absolution, he hugged me and told me everything would be all right. I felt like a kid getting a hug from dad.

 

[xariskai]

Work often with your hands