FormerLib,
Care to handle this?
Second, the act of confession is considered to be penance. The price of our sins was paid in full on the Cross, we can add nothing to that. The priest, however, may refuse to pray for forgiveness in certain circumstances. For example, if you've stolen something, the priest may require you to return it before praying for forgiveness.
Lastly, not all sins require a confession via a priest. Small sins, such as anger, can be confessed directly to God. Those sins which are severe enough to cause the seperation between yourself and the Church established by Jesus Christ should be confessed in the presence of a priest. Ultimately, all sin is judged by God.
Beyond these differences, the Orthodox Church would hold to the same basic understanding as the Roman Catholic Church.