Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: american colleen; FormerLib
Do you know what the Ortodox believe?

FormerLib,

Care to handle this?

9 posted on 07/06/2002 11:03:17 PM PDT by Polycarp
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies ]


To: Polycarp; american colleen; RnMomof7
I'll just highlight the differences between the Eastern Orthodox and the Roman Catholic confession. First, the priest serves only as the witness to the confession. He does not even need to speak the same language as the confessor. When the confession is complete, the priest prays to God to forgive the sins of the person making the confession. There is no implication that the priest is the one forgiving the sin. The priest may, of course, offer guidance on how to avoid sin in the future.

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.

17 posted on 07/07/2002 2:41:58 PM PDT by FormerLib
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson