[Salvation]

Here are the actual words of the priest, and from what you are saying, I am deducing that the Orthodox Church does not put the emphasis on the role of the priest as being the mediator between God and the pentitent that the Latin Church does.

 

1449 The formula of absolution used in the Latin Church expresses the essential elements of this sacrament: the Father of mercies is the source of all forgiveness. He effects the reconciliation of sinners through the Passover of his Son and the gift of his Spirit, through the prayer and ministry of the Church:

God, the Father of mercies,
through the death and the resurrection of his Son
has reconciled the world to himself
and sent the Holy Spirit among us
for the forgiveness of sins;
through the ministry of the Church
may God give you pardon and peace,
and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Now my question as to why the Orthodox seems to be more lax in this area than the Roman church? Emphasis on Sacraments?

[Kolokotronis]

“Now my question as to why the Orthodox seems to be more lax in this area than the Roman church?”

More lax? I understand that the Latin Church regularly distributes communion to people who have not been to confession. The Slavic Churches are very, very strict about this, especially the Russians. No confession, no communion.