Troparion of the Holy Cross in the First Tone: O Lord save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance. Grant victories to the Orthodox Christians over their adversaries; and by the virtue of Thy Cross, preserve Thy habitation.

Hymns after the little entrance

Troparion of the Resurrection in the Third Tone: Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad, for the Lord hath done a mighty act with His own arm. He hath trampled down death by death, and became the first-born from the dead. He hath delivered us from the depths of Hades, granting the world the Great Mercy.

Troparion of the Holy Cross in the First Tone: [as above]

Troparion of Saint Mark in the Fourth Tone: From thy childhood the light of truth enlightened thee, O Mark, and thou didst love the labor of Christ the Savior. Wherefore thou didst follow Peter with zeal and didst serve Paul as a fellow laborer and didst enlighten the world with thy holy Gospel.

Kontakion for the Annunciation (and Great Lent) in the Eighth Tone: To thee, the Champion Leader, do I offer thanks of victory, O Theotokos, thou who hast delivered me from terror; but as thou that hast that power invincible, O Theotokos, thou alone can set me free: from all forms of danger free me and deliver me, that I may cry unto thee: “Hail, O Bride without Bridegroom.”

The Anti – Trisagion Hymn: Before Thy Cross we bow down in worship, Master, and we glorify Thy Holy Resurrection. (See p. 31 in the congregation Liturgy Book)

Prokeimenon (Psalm 27.9,1) Tone 6: O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance. To Thee, O Lord, have I cried, O my God.

The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews. (4:14-5:6)

Brethren, since we have a High Priest, Who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One Who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt Himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by Him Who said to Him, “Thou art My Son, today I have begotten Thee”; as He says also in another place, “Thou art a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”

Alleluia Verses (Psalm 88.1,2) Tone 6: Remember Thy congregation which Thou hast purchase from the beginning.  God is our King before the ages; He hath wrought salvation in the midst of the earth.

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark. (8:34-9:1)

The Lord said, “If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for My sake and the Gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” And Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Kingdom of God come with power.”

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Communion Hymn for today: The light of Thy countenance is marked upon us, O Lord.

Instead of “We have seen the true light…” we sing the Troparion of the Cross.

April 7, 2013 Third Sunday of Lent

Pastor’s Column

Excerpt from “If We Confess Our Sins,” by Fr. Thomas Hopko

‘In his spiritual diary, Fr. Alexander Elchaninov gives advice about confession.  Advice is also found in the writings of Fr. John Kronstadt, and in such books as Unseen Warfare and The Way of the Pilgrim. Christians should read writings of this sort to help them with their confession.  Theophan the Recluse advised those preparing for confession to study the Sermon on the Mount (Mt. 5-7) and the first letter of John, together with 1 Corinthians 13 and Romans 12 to 14.  These, and other sections of the scriptures, focus sharply on what is expected of Christians in their daily behavior.  Fr. Elchaninov writes that confession “springs from an awareness of what is holy, it means dying to sin and coming alive again to sanctity.”  It begins with “a searching of the heart.”  It moves to a sincere “contrition of the heart.”  It expresses itself in the “oral confession of sins,” accomplished “with precision, without veiling the ugliness of sin by vague expression.”  It is fulfilled in the resolution never to sin again, although realizing that we will fall because we are not God.  It is sealed by our subsequent sufferings to remain steadfast in our struggle against sin.  Such confession is at the heart of our spiritual efforts, especially during the Lenten spring.

‘“Behold, my child, Christ stands here invisibly and receives your confession. Wherefore be not ashamed nor afraid and conceal nothing from me, but tell without hesitation all things which you have done, and so you shall have pardon from our Lord Jesus Christ.

Lo, His holy image is before us, and I am but a witness, bearing testimony before Him of the things which you have to say.  But if you shall conceal anything you shall have the greater sin. Take heed, therefore, lest having come to the physician, you depart unhealed.”’ (from the service of Confession)

One of the great victories of the Evil One in the Church herself is the neglect and even avoidance of the sacrament of Holy Confession by so many Orthodox Christians. This Sacrament is for healing, growth in the Life in Christ, the laying down of heavy burdens, and spiritual counsel. Every Orthodox Christian (except for small children) should come to Holy Confession regularly and at least once during the Great Fast. It is for our salvation.

Confessions are heard on Saturdays after Vespers, Sundays during Orthros, Monday evenings after Great Compline, Friday evenings after Akathist and by appointment.

Fr. Michael

April 2013, Newsletter The Apostle

Troparion of the Resurrection in the Second Tone: When Thou didst submit Thyself unto death, O Thou Deathless and Immortal One, then Thou didst destroy Hell with Thy Godly power; and when Thou didst raise the dead from beneath the earth, all the powers of Heaven did cry aloud unto Thee: O Christ Thou Giver of Life, glory to Thee!

Troparion of Saint Gregory, Tone 8, O star of Orthodoxy, support of the Church and its teacher, O comeliness of ascetics, and incontestable champion of those who speak in theology, Gregory the wonder-worker, the pride of Thessalonica and preacher of grace, implore thou constantly for the salvation of our souls.

Troparion of St. Mark in the Fourth Tone: From thy childhood the light of truth enlightened thee, O Mark, and thou didst love the labor of Christ the Savior. Wherefore thou didst follow Peter with zeal and didst serve Paul as a fellow laborer and didst enlighten the world with thy holy Gospel.

Kontakion for the Annunciation (and Great Lent) in the Eighth Tone: To thee, the Champion Leader, do I offer thanks of victory, O Theotokos, thou who hast delivered me from terror; but as thou that hast that power invincible, O Theotokos, thou alone can set me free: from all forms of danger free me and deliver me, that I may cry unto thee: “Hail, O Bride without Bridegroom.”

Prokeimenon (Psalm 11.7,1) Tone 5: You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us.  Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed.

The reading from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews (1:10-2:3)

“In the beginning, You O Lord, didst found the earth, and the heavens are the work of thy hands; they will perish, but thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years will never end.” But to what angel has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet”?  Are they not all-ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?

Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him.

Alleluia verses (Psalm 88.1,2) Tone 5: I will sing of your mercies, O Lord, forever.  For you have said: “Mercy shall be built up for ever.”

The Reading from the Gospel according to St. Mark (2:1-12)

At that time, when Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home.  And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them.  And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, reasoning in their hearts,  “Why does this man speak thus? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus reasoned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you reason thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, `Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, `Rise, take up your pallet and walk’?  But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins” — he said to the paralytic –  “I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home.”  And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

March 31, 2013 Second Sunday of Lent

Troparion of the Feast in the Second Tone: We reverence Thine immaculate icon, O Good One, and ask forgiveness of our transgressions, O Christ our God; for of Thine own will Thou wast pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, that Thou mightest deliver from bondage to the enemy those whom Thou hadst fashioned. Wherefore, we cry aloud unto Thee with thanksgiving: Thou hast filled all things with joy, O our Savior, for Thou didst come to save the world.

Hymns after the little entrance

Troparion of the Resurrection in the First Tone: While the stone was sealed by the Jews, and the soldiers were guarding Thy most pure Body, Thou didst arise on the third day, O Savior, granting life to the world.  Wherefore, the Heavenly powers cried aloud unto Thee, O Giver of life:  Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ; Glory to Thy Kingdom; Glory to Thy Providence, O Thou who alone art the Lover of mankind.

Troparion of the Feast in the Second Tone: {Repeat in Arabic}

Troparion of St. Mark in the Fourth Tone: From thy childhood the light of truth enlightened thee, O Mark, and thou didst love the labor of Christ the Savior. Wherefore thou didst follow Peter with zeal and didst serve Paul as a fellow laborer and didst enlighten the world with thy holy Gospel.

Kontakion for the Annunciation (and Great Lent) in the Eighth Tone: To thee, the Champion Leader, do I offer thanks of victory, O Theotokos, thou who hast delivered me from terror; but as thou that hast that power invincible, O Theotokos, thou alone can set me free: from all forms of danger free me and deliver me, that I may cry unto thee: “Hail, O Bride without Bridegroom.”

Prokeimenon: Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers. For Thou art just in all that Thou hast done for us!

The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews. (11:24-26, 32-40)

Brethren, by faith Moses, when “he was grown up,” refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the recompense of reward. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and all the prophets, who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, and turned to flight armies of the aliens. Women received their dead by resurrection and others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. And others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned; they were sawn asunder, they were tempted, they were slain with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, being destitute, afflicted, tormented (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a witness through their faith, did not receive the promise, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Alleluia Verses (Psalm 98.6; 33.17) in the Fourth Tone: Moses and Aaron are among his priests.  They call on the Lord and he hears them.

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. John. (1:43-51)

At that time, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me.”  Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, “We have found Him of Whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” Nathanael said to Jesus, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered Him, “Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God! Thou art the King of Israel!” Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these.” And Jesus said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.”

March 24, 2013 First Sunday of Lent

Troparion of the Resurrection, in the Eighth Tone From the heights Thou didst descend, O compassionate One, and Thou didst submit to the three-day burial, that Thou might deliver us from passion; Thou art our life and our Resurrection, O Lord, glory to Thee.

Troparion of St. Mark in the Fourth Tone: From thy childhood the light of truth enlightened thee, O Mark, and thou didst love the labor of Christ the Savior. Wherefore thou didst follow Peter with zeal and didst serve Paul as a fellow laborer and didst enlighten the world with thy holy Gospel.

Kontakion of Cheese Fare Sunday in the Sixth Tone: Teacher of wisdom, Bestower of virtue, who teachest the thoughtless and protectest the poor:  Strengthen and enlighten my heart, O Master.  Give me word, O Word of the Father, for behold my lips will not be restrained from crying to thee:  Have mercy on me, the transgressor, O merciful Lord.

Prokeimenon (Psalm46.6, 1) Tone 3: O chant unto our God, chant ye.  Clap your hands, all ye nations.

The reading from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Romans (13:11-14:4)

Brethren, now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk becomingly, as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in chambering and licentiousness, not in strife and jealousy.  But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its lusts.

But as for the one who is weak in faith, receive him, but not for disputes over opinions. For one believes he may eat anything; but the weak person eats herbs.  Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat pass judge him who eats; for God has received him.  Who are you to be the judge over the servant of stranger? To his own master that he either stands or falls; and he will be made to stand; for God is able to make him stand.

Alleluia verses (Psalm 30.1, 2) Tone 3: In Thee, O Lord, have I hoped; let me not be put to shame forever. Be Thou unto me a God to defend me.

The Reading from the Gospel according to St. Matthew (6:14-21)

The Lord said, “If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

“And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will r

eward you openly.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”.

March 17, 2013 Forgiveness Sunday

Troparion of the Resurrection, in the Seventh Tone Thou didst shatter death by thy Cross; Thou didst open paradise to the thief; Thou didst turn the sadness of the ointment-bearing women into joy, and didst bid Thine Apostles proclaim a warning that Thou hast risen, O Christ, granting to the world great mercy.

Troparion of St. Mark in the Fourth Tone: From thy childhood the light of truth enlightened thee, O Mark, and thou didst love the labor of Christ the Savior. Wherefore thou didst follow Peter with zeal and didst serve Paul as a fellow laborer and didst enlighten the world with thy holy Gospel.

Kontakion of Meat Fare Sunday, in the First Tone When Thou comest, O God, to the earth with glory, and all creatures tremble before Thee, and the river of fire floweth before the Altar, and the books are opened and sins revealed, deliver me then from that unquenchable fire, and make me worthy to stand at Thy right hand, O Righteous Judge.

Prokeimenon (Psalm 117:14,18) Tone 2: The Lord is my strength and my song. The Lord has chastened me sorely.

The reading from Saint Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians (8:8-9:2)

Brethren, food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do.  Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.  For if any one sees you, a man of knowledge, at table in an idol’s temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols?  And so by your knowledge this weak man is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died.  Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.  Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother’s falling, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall.

Alleluia verses (Psalm 19:1, 9): May the Lord hear you in the day of trouble. O Lord, save the king, and hear us when we call upon you.

The Reading from the Gospel according to St. Matthew (25:31-46)

The Lord said,  “When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.  Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats,  and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left.  Then the King will say to those at his right hand, `Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’  Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee?  And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?’  And the King will answer them, `Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.’  Then he will say to those at his left hand, `Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’  Then they also will answer, `Lord, when did we see thee hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to thee?’  Then he will answer them, `Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.’  And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

March 10, 2013 Judgement Sunday

Troparion of the Resurrection in the Sixth Tone: When Mary stood at thy grave looking for thy sacred Body, angelic powers shone above thy revered tomb, and the soldiers who were to keep guard became as dead men. Thou led Hades captive and wast not tempted thereby; Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst give life to the world; O thou Who art risen from the dead, O Lord, glory to Thee.

Troparion of St. Mark in the Fourth Tone: From thy childhood the light of truth enlightened thee, O Mark, and thou didst love the labor of Christ the Savior. Wherefore thou didst follow Peter with zeal and didst serve Paul as a fellow laborer and didst enlighten the world with thy holy Gospel.

Kontakion of the Prodigal Son in the Third Tone: I have foolishly run away from thy fatherly glory, and I have wasted in evil deeds the wealth which thou gavest me.  Wherefore, I cry to thee with the voice of the prodigal:  I have sinned before thee, O merciful Father.  Receive me who repent and make me as one of thy hired servants.

Prokeimenon (Psalm 32.22,1) Tone 1: Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us. Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.

The reading from Saint Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians (6:12-20)

Brethren, “all things are lawful for me,” but not all things are expedient. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be brought under the authority of anything.  “Foods are for the belly and the belly for foods” — but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body; And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up through his power.  Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I therefore take away the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? God forbid!  Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For, “The two” He says, “shall become one flesh.”  But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit. Flee fornication! Every other sin, that a person commits, is outside the body; but whoever commits fornication sins against his own body.  Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Alleluia verses (Psalm 17.48, 51) Tone 1: It is God who grants me vengeance; and has subdued peoples under me. God magnifies the salvation of his king and shows mercy to His anointed one!

The Reading from the Gospel according to St. Luke (15:11-32)

The Lord spoke this parable: “There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, `Father, give me the share of property that falls to me.’ And he divided his living between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have fed on the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, `How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants.”‘ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, `Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, `Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to make merry.

“Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. And he said to him, `Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.’ But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, `Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid that I might make merry with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!’  And he said to him, `Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”

Sunday Bulletin – March 03, 2013 Prodigal Son

Pastor’s Column

During Great Lent, and in the next several weeks the Church calls us to do what we should be doing all year round. We are instructed to fast, pray, do charitable works, worship in the church, and so on. We must also include in the list participation in the Sacrament of Holy Confession. In his book, “The Lenten Spring,” Fr. Thomas Hopko (Dean Emeritus of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary) addresses some of the questions and issues regarding this neglected sacrament.

It is not enough for us to know our sins and hate them. We must also confess them before God and man. We must acknowledge them before heaven and earth. We must expose them to the whole of creation in order to be rid of them from within our secret hearts. Confession is part of the spiritual life. Indeed it is part of life itself. There is no authentic existence for human beings without it. And there is certainly no authentic repentance. “If we say we have not sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” (1 John 1:8-10)

Some say that there is no need to confess sins openly and publicly. They say that people can confess directly to God. Such an idea is total nonsense. Confession to God in secret is no confession at all. It is simply the acknowledgment before the Lord that we know what He knows! Confession by definition is open and public. If it is not, it is simply not confession.

When the people were repenting in preparation for Jesus at the preaching of John the Baptist, it is written that they were baptized “confessing their sins” (Mark 1:5). This does not mean that they were telling God in the privacy of their hearts what He already knew. It means that they were proclaiming the evils that they had done for all to hear. And St. James commands Christians: “Confess your sins to one another!” he is not advising them to be aware of their transgressions in the secrecy of their souls. He is ordering them to reveal their wickedness’s to each other so that they might be healed (James 5:16)

If confession is by definition the open and public acknowledgment of sins, why then do the Orthodox confess privately to their priests? It is not because the priests have some special power which others do not have… Priests have no power personally to forgive sins. Only Jesus Christ has such power. But the pastors have the ministry of witnessing the confession and repentance of God’s people, and of officially sealing that confession and repentance with the assurance of divine forgiveness through the prayers of absolution.

The reason why people now confess to their pastors in private is because of the weakness of the body of Christians as a whole. Confession used to be public. It was done openly in the presence of all the members of the Church. Anyone willing to confess in this manner today is welcome do so. But it would most likely serve only to lead other in temptation rather than to inspire prayerful compassion… When confession is done to the priest alone, it should be understood that it is to him as if it were it were to all. Or to put it another way, it is to all – God and man and the whole of creation – in the priest’s person as the head of the church community and the sacramental presence within it of the Lord Jesus Himself.

Great Lent is a time for confession. All Christians should make their confession. A person who does not is hardly a Christian. He is certainly not Orthodox.

March 2013, Newsletter The Apostle