How to confess correctly. How to confess correctly and what to say to the priest: rules of confession with examples. Sacrament of repentance and communion

Hieromonk Evstafiy (Khalimankov)

This question arises for many people who want to change their lives with the help of the Church and the sacrament of Repentance. However, independent search does not always lead to the correct answer. Let's try to give an answer based on the real experience of the clergy of the Zhirovitsky monastery.

When coming to confession, you should always ask yourself a clear and precise question: why am I doing this? Am I going to change my life, which is what the word “repentance” actually implies (from Greek “throwing” - a change of mind, worldview, smart approach to everything)?

In the Sacrament of Repentance one can highlight three main points or a kind of repentance stage. Only by successively going through all these stages can a person hope for victory over sin within himself. Let us remember the parable of the prodigal son. After the youngest son received his share from his father and squandered it, “living fornication,” the “moment of truth” comes. It becomes clear that no one needs him. And then the youngest son remembers his father: “When he came to his senses, he said: How many of my father’s hired servants have an abundance of bread, but I am dying of hunger!” ().

So, First step repentance means “coming to your senses”, thinking about your life: realizing that I’m still living wrong and... remembering that there is always a way out in any situation. And this is the only way out: the Lord. We all begin to remember God only in sorrows, illnesses, etc. Including church people: those who more or less regularly visit church, confess and receive communion; Even they remember about God - that all problems are solved in Him - not immediately.

Second phase– determination to part with sin and immediate confession of sin. The prodigal son makes this only correct decision: “I will get up, go to my father and say to him: Father! I have sinned against heaven and before you, and am no longer worthy to be called your son; accept me as one of your hired servants. He got up and went to his father. And while he was still far away, his father saw him and had compassion; and, running, fell on his neck and kissed him. The son said to him: Father! I have sinned against heaven and before you and am no longer worthy to be called your son. And the father said to his servants: Bring the best robe and dress him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fatted calf, and kill it; Let's eat and have fun! For this son of mine was dead and is alive again, he was lost and is found. And they started having fun" (). The person has already realized that it is impossible to live the way he lives now, so he takes concrete steps to change the situation.

The Lord, like the father from the gospel parable, is waiting for each of us. The Lord, so to speak, longs for our repentance. None of us cares about our own salvation as much as God does. Each of us, I suppose, has experienced that joy, relief, deep peace of soul after a truly serious confession? The Lord expects from us this depth, seriousness towards Himself. We take a step towards God, and He takes a few steps towards us. If only we would make up our minds and take this saving step forward... And this is precisely what manifests itself, first of all, in confession.

What do we say in confession to God? This, in fact, is the main topic of this article. Let's start with the fact that sometimes a person does not even understand what he should repent of: “I didn’t kill anyone, I didn’t steal,” etc. And if we somehow orient ourselves in the Old Testament coordinate system, at the level of the ten Mosaic commandments (to which the so-called “universal human values” are close), then the Gospel remains for us some kind of distant, transcendental reality, in no way connected with life. But it is precisely the commandments of the Gospel that for Christians are the law that should regulate their entire lives. Therefore, first we must make the effort to at least learn about these commandments. It is best to read the Gospel with the interpretation of the holy fathers. You may ask: what, we ourselves cannot understand the New Testament on our own? Well, start reading and I think you'll have a lot of questions. To find answers to them, you can read the archbishop’s book “The Four Gospels.” You can also recommend the wonderful book “Interpretation of the Gospel,” which very successfully synthesized the patristic experience. A similar work belongs to: “The Four Gospels. A Guide to the Study of the Holy Scriptures." All these texts can now be found without any problems in church shops, stores, or, in any case, on the Internet.

When the prospect of the gospel life opens to a person, he finally realizes how far his own life is from the most elementary foundations of the gospel. Then it will naturally become clear what you need to repent of and how to continue to live.

Now it is necessary to say a few words about how to confess. It turns out that you also need to learn this, and sometimes throughout your life. How often do you hear in confession a dry, formal listing of sins read in some church (or near-church) brochure. Once, during confession, a young man read from a piece of paper, among other sins, “loving carriages.” I asked him if he had any idea what it was? He honestly said, “Approximately,” and smiled. When you listen to these treatises in confession, over time you begin to identify the primary sources: “Yeah, this is from the book “Helping the Penitent,” and this is from “A Cure for Sin...”.”

Of course, there are really good manuals that can be recommended to beginning confessors. For example, “The Experience of Constructing a Confession” by the archimandrite or the book we have already mentioned “To Help the Repentant”, compiled from the works of . They, of course, can be used, but only with a certain reservation. You can't get stuck on them. A Christian must progress in confession as well. For example, a person can go to confession for years and, like a well-learned lesson, repeat the same thing: “I sinned in deed, word, thought, condemnation, idle talk, negligence, absent-mindedness in prayer...” - then follows a certain set of so-called common sins so-called church people. What's the problem here? Yes, the fact is that a person becomes unaccustomed to spiritual work on his soul and gradually gets used to this sinful “gentleman’s set” so much that he no longer feels almost anything during confession. Very often a person hides behind these general words the real pain and shame from sin. After all, it’s one thing to quickly mutter, among other things, “judgment, idle talk, looking at bad images,” and quite another to courageously expose a specific sin in all its ugliness: badmouthing a colleague behind his back, reproaching his friend for not lending me money , watched a porn film...

One can, of course, go to the other extreme, when a person plunges into petty, painful soul-searching. You can get to the point where the confessor will even experience pleasure from sin, as if reliving it, or he will begin to be proud: look, they say, what a deep person I am with a complex and rich inner life... The main thing must be said about sin, its essence, and no, excuse me, wet it...

It is also useful to remember that when we confess any sins, we thereby take upon ourselves the obligation not to commit them, or at least to fight against them. Simply talking about sins in confession is great irresponsibility. At the same time, some also begin to theologize: I have no humility, because there is no obedience, and there is no obedience because there is no confessor, and good confessors cannot be found now, because “the last times” and “elders have not been given to our time”... Others They generally begin to confess the sins of their relatives and acquaintances... but not their own. Our crafty nature thus tries, even in confession, to justify itself before God and “shift” the blame onto someone else. Therefore, sin must really... be mourned in confession, exposed without concealment, all its abomination - exposed. If a person is ashamed during confession, then this is a good sign. This means that the grace of God has already touched the soul.

Sometimes a person repents (even with tears in his eyes) for eating non-Lenten gingerbread on a Lenten day or being tempted by soup with sunflower oil... At the same time, he does not notice at all that he has been living for many years in enmity with his daughter-in-law or husband, and indifferently passes by someone else’s misfortune ; completely disregards his family or official responsibilities... Blind people who cannot see beyond their own nose, “straining out a mosquito and swallowing a camel” ()! ) to the temple of God and... live at the same time in some kind of world invented by them - there is no God there, because there is no main thing: love for people. How the Lord Jesus Christ convicted us of this moral blindness and grieved over the “leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees,” with which we are all more or less amazed... We immediately see a girl who walks in wearing trousers or a tipsy guy and, like kites, we pounce on them: let’s go get out of our temple!..

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you are like whitewashed tombs, which on the outside appear beautiful, but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and all uncleanness; So, on the outside, you seem righteous to people, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness” ().

So, you need to confess specifically, laconically, mercilessly towards yourself (your “old man”), without hiding anything, without embellishing, without belittling the sin. First you need to confess the grossest, most shameful, disgusting sins - decisively throw these dirty mossy stones out of the house of the soul. Then collect the rest of the pebbles, sweep them away, scrape them along the bottom...

You need to prepare for confession in advance, and not hastily, somehow, while already standing in church. You can prepare several days in advance (this process in church language is called fasting). Preparation for the Sacraments of Confession and Communion is not only a food diet (although this is also important), but also a deep study of one’s soul, and a prayerful invocation of God’s help. For the latter, by the way, the so-called Rule for Communion is intended, which can be different depending on the level of churching of a Christian. I am convinced that forcing a person taking his first steps in the Church to read the entire large rule in an incomprehensible Church Slavonic language is “imposing unbearable burdens” (). The measure of fasting and prayer rules must be agreed upon with the priest.

Now let's consider third stage repentance is probably the most difficult. After the sin is recognized and confessed, the Christian must prove repentance through his life. This means a very simple thing: do not commit the confessed sin again. And this is where the most difficult, the most painful thing begins... The man thought that, having confessed, having experienced the experience of grace-filled consolation from confession, he had accomplished everything, and now, finally, he could enjoy life in God. But it turns out that everything is just beginning! A fierce struggle with sin begins. Or rather, it should begin. In fact, a person often gives in to this struggle and again falls into sin.

I would like to draw your attention to one strange (at first glance) pattern. Here is a man confessing to some sin. For example, in irritation. And for some reason, immediately - either on this day, or in the near future - there is again a reason for irritation. The temptation is right there. Even sometimes in an even more severe form than it was before confession. Some Christians are therefore even afraid to frequently confess and receive communion - they are afraid of “increasing temptations.” But the fact of the matter is that the Lord, accepting our repentance, gives us the opportunity to prove the seriousness of our confession and actually implement this repentance. The Lord offers a kind of “work on mistakes” so that a person this time does not succumb to sin, but does the right thing: in the Gospel. And most importantly, a person is already armed to fight sin with the grace of God received in the Sacrament of Confession. To the extent of our sincerity, seriousness, and depth shown in confession, the Lord gives us His gracious power to fight sin. You can't miss this divine chance! There is no need to be afraid of new temptations, you need to be prepared for them in order to face them courageously and... not sin. Only then will an end be put to our repentant epic and victory will be achieved over some individual sin. This point is very important - it is necessary to focus on the fight, first of all, with some specific sin. As a rule, we begin to eradicate the most obvious, gross sins in ourselves - such as fornication, drunkenness, drugs, smoking... Only by eradicating these gross sins from our soul will a person begin to see other, more subtle (but no less dangerous) sins in himself : vanity, condemnation, envy, irritability...

The Optina elder monk said this about this: “You need to know which passion worries you most, and you need to fight it especially. To do this, you need to examine your conscience every day...” It is not only necessary to repent of sins at confession, but it is good if a Christian in the evening, before going to bed, for example, remembers the day he has lived and repents before the Lord of his sinful thoughts, feelings, intentions or aspirations... “Cleanse me from my secrets” (), - prayed the psalmist David.

So, it is necessary to focus on a specific sin that really interferes with life, slows down our entire spiritual life, and take up arms against this sin. Constantly confess it, fight it with all the means available to us; read the works of the holy fathers about ways to combat this sin, consult with your confessor. It is good if a Christian eventually finds a confessor - this is a great help in spiritual life. We need to pray to the Lord that He will grant us such a gift: a true confessor. It doesn’t have to be an elder (and where can you find them, elders, in our time?). It is enough to find a sober-minded priest who is familiar with the patristic tradition and has at least minimal spiritual experience.

Confession should be regular (as should the communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ). The frequency of confession and Communion is individual for each person. This issue is resolved with the confessor. However, in any case, a Christian must confess and receive communion at least once a month. This is important precisely because the soul is regularly clogged with all sorts of sinful rubbish. No one has any questions about why we need to regularly wash our face, brush our teeth, see a doctor... In the same way, our soul needs careful care. Man is an integral being, consisting of soul and body. And if we take care of the body, then alas! – we often completely forget... It is precisely because of the above-mentioned integrity of a person that negligence about the soul then affects physical health, and indeed the entire life of a person. You can (and should!) confess more often (without Communion), as needed. If you get sick, we immediately run to the doctor. Therefore, we must remember that the Doctor is always waiting for us in the temple.

Yes, the inertia of sin is great. The habit of sin, which has been developed over the years, cannot help but drag a person to the bottom. Fear of this skill fetters our will and fills the soul with despondency: no, I cannot overcome sin... Thus, the faith that the Lord can help is lost. A person goes to confession for months, then years, and repents of the same stereotyped sins. And... nothing, no positive changes.

And here it is very important to remember the words of the Lord that “The Kingdom of Heaven is taken by force, and those who use force take it by force” (). Making effort in the Christian life means fighting sin within yourself. If a Christian really struggles with himself, he will soon feel how, from confession to confession, the octopus of sin begins to weaken its tentacles and the soul begins to breathe more and more freely. It is necessary - necessary, like air! – to feel this taste of victory. It is the cruel, irreconcilable struggle against sin that strengthens our faith - “and this is the victory that has conquered the world, our faith” ().

Every believer must understand that in confession he confesses his deeds to the Lord. Each of his sins must be covered by the desire to atone for his guilt before the Lord; this is the only way to achieve his forgiveness.

If a person feels that his soul is heavy, then it is necessary to go to church and undergo the sacrament of confession. After repentance, you will feel much better, and a heavy burden will fall from your shoulders. Your soul will become free and your conscience will no longer torment you.

What is needed for confession

Before you can properly confess in church, you need to understand what to say there. Before confession you need to make the following preparations:

• realize your sins, sincerely repent of them;
• have a sincere desire for sin to be left behind, with faith in the Lord;
• to sincerely believe in the fact that confession will help to cleanse yourself spiritually with the help of prayers and sincere repentance.

Confession will help remove sins from the soul only if the repentance is sincere and the person’s faith is strong. If you said to yourself, “I want to confess,” then your conscience and faith in the Lord should tell you where to start.

How does confession go?

If you are thinking about how to properly confess in church, you must first understand that all actions must be as sincere as possible. In its process, you need to open your heart and soul, completely repenting of what you have done. And if there are people who do not understand its meaning, who do not feel relief after it, then these are simply unbelieving people who have not really realized their sins and certainly have not repented of them.

It is important to understand that confession is not a simple listing of all your sins. Many people think that the Lord already knows everything about them. But this is not at all what He expects from you. In order for the Lord to forgive you, you should want to get rid of your sins and repent of them. Only then can one expect relief after confession.

What to do during confession

People who have never made the sacrament of confession do not have the slightest idea how to properly confess to the priest. All people who are ready to confess are welcome in churches. Even for the greatest sinners, the path there is never closed. Moreover, priests often help their parishioners in the process of confession, pushing them to take the right actions. Therefore, there is no need to be afraid of confession, even if you do not know how to confess correctly for the first time.

During individual confession, one should not forget about those sins that were mentioned during the general sacrament. This can be done in any words, since the form of repentance does not matter. You can express your sin in one word, for example, “stole,” or you can talk about it in more detail. You need to speak from the heart, in the words that your heart tells you. After all, you are pouring out your thoughts before God, and it does not matter to him what the priest may be thinking at this time. Therefore, there is no need to be ashamed of your words at all.

What to do if you forgot to name some sin?

Every person can get agitated. You can then just go up to the priest and tell him everything. There is nothing criminal about this.

Many parishioners write down their sins on a piece of paper and come to confession. This has its advantages. Firstly, this way you won’t forget about the main thing, and secondly, by writing it down, you will think about your actions and understand that you did the wrong thing.

But here, too, you should not overdo it, since this process can make confession a mere formality.

At the first confession, a person must remember all his misdeeds, starting from the age of six. After this, there is no longer any need to remember those sins that have already been named before. Unless, of course, they committed this sin again.

If the named offenses are not considered a sin, then the priest should tell the person about this, and together they should think about why this act bothers the parishioner so much.

How to confess correctly

Having decided to confess, you should find out how this procedure occurs. After all, there is a whole Orthodox ritual for this, which takes place in a specially designated place called a lectern. It is a table with four kuts, on which you can see the Holy Gospel and a cross.

Before you repent of your sins, you need to go up to him and put two fingers on the Gospel. After this, the priest can put the epitrachelion on his head. In appearance it somewhat resembles a scarf.

But the priest can do this even after he has listened to the person’s sins. After this, the clergyman will read a prayer for the remission of sins. A priest baptizes a parishioner.

At the end of the prayer, the epitrachelion is removed from the head. Even then you need to cross yourself and kiss the holy cross. Only after this can you receive a blessing from the priest.

After confession, the priest can assign a person penance. Lately this has happened quite rarely, but there is no need to be afraid of such a step - these are simply actions whose purpose is to quickly eradicate sins from a person’s life.

But the priest can soften or even cancel the penance if the person asks for it. Of course, there must be a good reason for such a step. Very often, prayers, bows or other actions are prescribed as penance, which should become an act of mercy on the part of the person confessing. But recently, priests most often assign penance only if the person himself asked for it.

How to confess correctly - advice from a priest

It often happens that during confession a person’s tears flow. There is no need to be ashamed of this, but you should not turn tears of repentance into hysterics.

What is better to wear to confession?

Before going to confession, you should review your wardrobe. Men must wear long pants, shirts or T-shirts with long sleeves. It is very important that the clothes do not depict various mythical characters, women without clothes or scenes with elements of smoking or drinking alcohol. In the warm season, men should be in church without hats.

Women should dress very modestly for confession. Outerwear must cover the shoulders and décolleté area. The skirt should not be too short, maximum to the knees. There should also be a scarf on the head. It is very important not to wear makeup and, especially, not to use lipstick, since you need to kiss the cross and the Gospel. You should not wear shoes with long heels, as the service may take a long time and your feet will get tired.

Preparing for confession and communion

Confession and communion can occur on the same day, but this is not necessary. You can confess during any service, but for the second sacrament you need to prepare much more seriously, since it is very important to receive the sacrament correctly.

Before the sacrament of communion there must be at least three days of strict fasting. A week before this, it is necessary to read akathists to the Mother of God and the Saints. On the day before communion, it is worth attending the evening service. Don’t forget about reading the three canons:

• Savior;
• Mother of God;
• Guardian Angel.

You cannot eat or drink anything before communion. It is also necessary to read morning prayers after sleep. During confession, the priest will definitely ask whether the person fasted before communion and whether he read all the prayers.

Preparation for communion also includes renouncing marital obligations, smoking and drinking alcohol. During the period of preparation for this sacrament, you should not use foul language or gossip about other people. This is very important, because preparations are underway to receive the Blood and Body of Christ.

You need to stand in front of the Chalice of Christ with your arms crossed on your chest and say your name before drinking wine and bread.

How to confess correctly for the first time

If a person wants to confess for the first time, then he needs to understand that not simple repentance awaits him. Such a confession is usually called general. It must be approached consciously and very carefully. It is important for a person to concentrate and remember all his sins from the age of six (in subsequent times he will no longer have to do this).

Church ministers recommend fasting during the preparation period and giving up relationships with members of the opposite sex. How long to fast depends on the person himself. You need to listen to the needs of your soul and follow them.

Don't forget to read your prayers and read the Bible these days. In addition, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the literature that exists on this topic. The priest can recommend some books. But before reading unverified publications, it is better to consult with your priest.

During confession, you should not use any memorized words or phrases. After the person talks about sins, the priest may ask some more questions. They must be answered calmly, even if they confuse the person. The parishioner himself can ask troubling questions, because the first confession exists so that a person takes the right path and never leaves it.

But we should not forget about other people who came to the Liturgy and also want to confess. There is no need to take a lot of time, even if there are still some questions. They can be asked to the priest after the Service.

The sacrament of confession has its purpose - it cleanses human souls from sins. But do not forget that you need to confess constantly. After all, in our troubled times it is impossible to live without sinning. And all sins fall heavily on our soul and our conscience.

What to say in confession - a list of women's sins

1. She violated the rules of conduct for those praying in the holy temple.
2. I had dissatisfaction with my life and with people.
3. She performed prayers without zeal and bowed low to icons, prayed lying down, sitting (unnecessarily, out of laziness).
4. She sought glory and praise in virtues and works.
5. I was not always content with what I had: I wanted to have beautiful, varied clothes, furniture, and delicious food.
6. I was annoyed and offended when my wishes were denied.
7. I did not abstain with my husband during pregnancy, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, during fasting, and was in uncleanness by consent with my husband.
8. I sinned with disgust.
9. After committing a sin, she did not repent immediately, but kept it to herself for a long time.
10. She sinned with idle talk and indirectness. I remembered the words others had said against me and sang shameless worldly songs.
11. She grumbled about the bad road, the length and tediousness of the service.
12. I used to save money for a rainy day, as well as for funerals.
13. She was angry with her loved ones and scolded her children. She did not tolerate comments or fair reproaches from people, she immediately fought back.
14. She sinned with vanity, asking for praise, saying “you can’t praise yourself, no one will praise you.”
15. The deceased was remembered with alcohol; on a fast day the funeral table was modest.
16. Didn’t have a firm determination to give up sin.
17. I doubted the honesty of my neighbors.
18. I missed opportunities to do good.
19. She suffered from pride, did not condemn herself, and was not always the first to ask for forgiveness.
20. Allowed food spoilage.
21. She did not always keep the shrine reverently (artos, water, prosphora spoiled).
22. I sinned with the goal of “repenting.”
23. She objected, justifying herself, was irritated by the lack of understanding, stupidity and ignorance of others, made reprimands and comments, contradicted, divulged sins and weaknesses.
24. Attributed sins and weaknesses to others.
25. She succumbed to rage: she scolded her loved ones, insulted her husband and children.
26. Led others into anger, irritability, and indignation.
27. I sinned by judging my neighbor and tarnishing his good name.
28. Sometimes she became discouraged and carried her cross with a murmur.
29. Interfered in other people's conversations, interrupted the speaker's speech.
30. She sinned with grumpiness, compared herself with others, complained and became embittered at those who offended her.
31. Thanked people, did not look towards God with gratitude.
32. I fell asleep with sinful thoughts and dreams.
33. I noticed bad words and actions of people.
34. Drank and ate food that was harmful to health.
35. She was troubled in spirit by slander and considered herself better than others.
36. She sinned by indulgence and indulgence in sins, self-indulgence, self-indulgence, disrespect for old age, untimely eating, intransigence, inattention to requests.
37. I missed the opportunity to sow the word of God and bring benefit.
38. She sinned with gluttony, guttural rage: she loved to eat excessively, savor tasty morsels, and amused herself with drunkenness.
39. She was distracted from prayer, distracted others, gave off bad air in church, went out when necessary without telling about it in confession, and hastily prepared for confession.
40. She sinned with laziness, idleness, exploited other people’s labor, speculated in things, sold icons, did not go to church on Sundays and holidays, was lazy to pray.
41. She became bitter towards the poor, did not receive strangers, did not give to the poor, did not clothe the naked.
42. I trusted in man more than in God.
43. I was drunk at a party.
44. I did not send gifts to those who offended me.
45. I was upset at a loss.
46. ​​I fell asleep during the day unnecessarily.
47. I was burdened by sorrows.
48. I didn’t protect myself from colds and didn’t get treatment from doctors.
49. She deceived me with her word.
50. Exploited the work of others.
51. She was depressed in sorrows.
52. She was a hypocrite, a people-pleaser.
53. She wished evil, was cowardly.
54. She was resourceful for evil.
55. Was rude and not condescending to others.
56. I didn’t force myself to do good deeds or pray.
57. She angrily reproached the authorities at rallies.
58. I shortened prayers, skipped them, rearranged words.
59. I envied others and wanted honor for myself.
60. I sinned with pride, vanity, self-love.
61. I watched dances, dances, various games and shows.
62. She sinned by idle ranting, secret eating, petrification, insensibility, neglect, disobedience, intemperance, stinginess, condemnation, love of money, reproach.
63. Spent the holidays in drinking and earthly amusements.
64. She sinned by sight, hearing, taste, smell, touch, inaccurate observance of fasts, unworthy communion of the Body and Blood of the Lord.
65. She got drunk and laughed at someone else’s sin.
66. She sinned through lack of faith, infidelity, betrayal, deceit, lawlessness, groaning over sin, doubt, freethinking.
67. She was fickle in good deeds and did not care about reading the Holy Gospel.
68. I came up with excuses for my sins.
69. She sinned by disobedience, arbitrariness, unfriendliness, malice, disobedience, insolence, contempt, ingratitude, severity, sneaking, oppression.
70. She did not always fulfill her official duties conscientiously; she was careless and hasty in her work.
71. She believed in signs and various superstitions.
72. Was an instigator of evil.
73. I went to weddings without a church wedding.
74. I sinned through spiritual insensibility: relying on myself, on magic, on fortune telling.
75. Did not keep these vows.
76. Concealed sins during confession.
77. I tried to find out other people’s secrets, read other people’s letters, eavesdropped on telephone conversations.
78. In great grief she wished for death.
79. Wore immodest clothes.
80. Talked during the meal.
81. She drank and ate the water “charged” by Chumak.
82. Worked through strength.
83. I forgot about my Guardian Angel.
84. I sinned by being lazy in praying for my neighbors; I did not always pray when asked to do so.
85. I was ashamed to cross myself among unbelievers, and took off the cross when going to the bathhouse and to see a doctor.
86. She did not keep the vows given at Holy Baptism and did not maintain the purity of her soul.
87. She noticed the sins and weaknesses of others, divulged and reinterpreted them for the worse. She swore, swore on her head, on her life. She called people “devil”, “Satan”, “demon”.
88. She called the dumb cattle after the names of holy saints: Vaska, Mashka.
89. I didn’t always pray before eating food; sometimes I had breakfast in the morning before the Divine service.
90. Having previously been an unbeliever, she seduced her neighbors into unbelief.
91. She set a bad example with her life.
92. I was lazy to work, shifting my labor onto the shoulders of others.
93. I did not always handle the word of God with care: I drank tea and read the Holy Gospel (which is lack of reverence).
94. Took Epiphany water after eating (unnecessarily).
95. I picked lilacs at the cemetery and brought them home.
96. I didn’t always keep the sacrament days, I forgot to read the prayers of thanks. I ate a lot these days and slept a lot.
97. I sinned by being idle, coming to church late and leaving it early, and rarely going to church.
98. Neglected menial work when absolutely necessary.
99. She sinned by indifference, remained silent when someone blasphemed.
100. She did not strictly observe fasting days, during fasts she was satiated with fasting food, she tempted others with the indulgence of something tasty and inaccurate according to the rules: a hot loaf, vegetable oil, seasoning.
101. I was carried away by bliss, relaxation, carelessness, trying on clothes and jewelry.
102. She reproached the priests and servants and spoke about their shortcomings.
103. Gave advice on abortion.
104. I disturbed someone else’s sleep through carelessness and impudence.
105. I read love letters, copied, memorized passionate poems, listened to music, songs, watched shameless movies.
106. She sinned with immodest glances, looked at other people’s nudity, wore immodest clothes.
107. I was tempted in a dream and passionately remembered it.
108. She suspected in vain (she slandered in her heart).
109. She retold empty, superstitious tales and fables, praised herself, and did not always tolerate the revealing truth and offenders.
110. Showed curiosity about other people's letters and papers.
111. Idly inquired about the weaknesses of my neighbor.
112. I have not freed myself from the passion to tell or ask about news.
113. I read prayers and akathists rewritten with errors.
114. I considered myself better and more worthy than others.
115. I don’t always light lamps and candles in front of icons.
116. I violated the secret of my own and others’ confession.
117. Participated in bad deeds, persuaded people to do bad things.
118. She was stubborn against goodness and did not listen to good advice. She showed off her beautiful clothes.
119. I wanted everything to be my way, I looked for the culprits of my sorrows.
120. After completing the prayer, I had evil thoughts.
121. She spent money on music, cinema, the circus, sinful books and other amusements, and lent money for a deliberately bad cause.
122. In thoughts inspired by the enemy, she plotted against the Holy Faith and the Holy Church.
123. She disturbed the peace of mind of the sick, looked at them as sinners, and not as a test of their faith and virtue.
124. Yielded to untruth.
125. I ate and went to bed without praying.
126. I ate before mass on Sundays and holidays.
127. She spoiled the water when she bathed in the river from which she drank.
128. She talked about her exploits, labors, and boasted about her virtues.
129. I enjoyed using scented soap, cream, powder, and painted my eyebrows, nails and eyelashes.
130. I sinned with the hope that “God will forgive.”
131. I relied on my own strengths and abilities, and not on the help and mercy of God.
132. She worked on holidays and weekends, and from working on these days she did not give money to the poor.
133. I visited a healer, went to a fortune teller, was treated with “biocurrents”, sat in psychic sessions.
134. She sowed enmity and discord between people, she herself offended others.
135. She sold vodka and moonshine, speculated, made moonshine (was present at the same time) and took part.
136. She suffered from gluttony, even getting up to eat and drink at night.
137. Drew a cross on the ground.
138. I read atheistic books, magazines, “treatises on love”, looked at pornographic paintings, maps, half-nude images.
139. Distorted the Holy Scripture (mistakes when reading, singing).
140. She exalted herself with pride, sought primacy and supremacy.
141. In anger she mentioned evil spirits and called on a demon.
142. I danced and played on holidays and Sundays.
143. She entered the temple in uncleanness, ate prosphora, antidor.
144. In anger, I scolded and cursed those who offended me: so that there is no bottom, no tire, etc.
145. Spent money on entertainment (rides, carousels, all kinds of shows).
146. She was offended by her spiritual father and grumbled at him.
147. She disdained kissing icons and caring for sick and old people.
148. She teased the deaf and dumb, the weak-minded, and minors, angered animals, and paid evil for evil.
149. Tempted people, wore see-through clothes, miniskirts.
150. She swore and was baptized, saying: “I will fail in this place,” etc.
151. She retold ugly stories (sinful in essence) from the lives of her parents and neighbors.
152. Had a spirit of jealousy towards a friend, sister, brother, friend.
153. She sinned by being grumpy, self-willed, and complaining that there was no health, strength, or strength in the body.
154. I envied rich people, their beauty, their intelligence, education, wealth, and goodwill.
155. She did not keep her prayers and good deeds secret, and did not keep church secrets.
156. She justified her sins with illness, infirmity, and bodily weakness.
157. She condemned other people's sins and shortcomings, compared people, gave them characteristics, judged them.
158. She revealed the sins of others, mocked them, ridiculed people.
159. Deliberately deceived, told lies.
160. I hastily read holy books when my mind and heart did not assimilate what I read.
161. I gave up prayer because I was tired, making the excuse of weakness.
162. I rarely cried because I was living unrighteously; I forgot about humility, self-reproach, salvation and the Last Judgment.
163. In my life I have not surrendered myself to the will of God.
164. She ruined her spiritual home, mocked people, discussed the fall of others.
165. She herself was an instrument of the devil.
166. She did not always cut off her will in front of the elder.
167. I spent a lot of time on empty letters, and not on spiritual ones.
168. Didn’t have a feeling of fear of God.
169. She was angry, shook her fist, and swore.
170. I read more than I prayed.
171. I succumbed to persuasion, to the temptation to sin.
172. She commanded imperiously.
173. She slandered others, forced others to swear.
174. She turned her face away from those asking.
175. She disturbed the peace of mind of her neighbor and had a sinful mood of spirit.
176. Did good without thinking about God.
177. She was vain about her place, rank, position.
178. On the bus I did not give up my seat to the elderly or passengers with children.
179. When buying, she bargained and fell into argument.
180. I did not always accept the words of the elders and confessors with faith.
181. She looked with curiosity and asked about worldly things.
182. The flesh did not live in the shower, bath, bathhouse.
183. Traveled aimlessly, out of boredom.
184. When the visitors left, she did not try to free herself from sinfulness by prayer, but remained in it.
185. She allowed herself privileges in prayer, pleasure in worldly pleasures.
186. She pleased others to please the flesh and the enemy, and not for the benefit of the spirit and salvation.
187. I sinned with unspiritual attachment to friends.
188. I was proud of myself when doing a good deed. She didn’t humiliate herself or reproach herself.
189. She did not always feel sorry for sinful people, but scolded and reproached them.
190. She was dissatisfied with her life, scolded her and said: “When death takes me.”
191. There were times when she called me annoyingly and knocked loudly to get them to open.
192. While reading, I did not think deeply about the Holy Scriptures.
193. I did not always have cordiality towards visitors and the memory of God.
194. I did things out of passion and worked needlessly.
195. Often fueled by empty dreams.
196. She sinned with malice, did not remain silent in anger, did not move away from the one who aroused anger.
197. When I was sick, I often used food not for satisfaction, but for pleasure and enjoyment.
198. She coldly received mentally helpful visitors.
199. I grieved for the one who offended me. And they grieved at me when I offended.
200. During prayer I did not always have repentant feelings or humble thoughts.
201. Insulted her husband, who avoided intimacy on the wrong day.
202. In anger, she encroached on the life of her neighbor.
203. I have sinned and am sinning by fornication: I was with my husband not to conceive children, but out of lust. In the absence of her husband, she desecrated herself with masturbation.
204. At work I experienced persecution for the truth and grieved about it.
205. Laughed at the mistakes of others and made comments out loud.
206. She wore women's whims: beautiful umbrellas, fluffy clothes, other people's hair (wigs, hairpieces, braids).
207. She was afraid of suffering and endured it reluctantly.
208. She often opened her mouth to show off her gold teeth, wore glasses with gold frames, and an abundance of rings and gold jewelry.
209. I asked advice from people who do not have spiritual intelligence.
210. Before reading the word of God, she did not always call on the grace of the Holy Spirit, she only cared about reading as much as possible.
211. She passed on the gift of God to the womb, voluptuousness, idleness and sleep. She didn’t work, having talent.
212. I was lazy to write and rewrite spiritual instructions.
213. I dyed my hair and looked younger, visited beauty salons.
214. When giving alms, she did not combine it with the correction of her heart.
215. She did not shy away from flatterers and did not stop them.
216. She had an addiction to clothes: she cared about how not to get dirty, not dusty, not to get wet.
217. She did not always wish salvation for her enemies and did not care about it.
218. At prayer I was “a slave of necessity and duty.”
219. After fasting, I ate light food, ate until my stomach became heavy and often without time.
220. I rarely prayed the night prayer. She sniffed tobacco and indulged in smoking.
221. Didn’t avoid spiritual temptations. Had some bad dates. I lost heart.
222. On the road I forgot about prayer.
223. Intervened with instructions.
224. She did not sympathize with the sick and mourning.
225. She didn’t always lend money.
226. I feared sorcerers more than God.
227. I felt sorry for myself for the benefit of others.
228. She soiled and spoiled sacred books.
229. I talked before morning and after evening prayer.
230. She brought glasses to guests against their will, treated them beyond measure.
231. I did the works of God without love and zeal.
232. Often I did not see my sins, I rarely condemned myself.
233. I played with my face, looking in the mirror, making grimaces.
234. She spoke about God without humility and caution.
235. I was burdened by the service, waiting for the end, hurrying quickly to the exit in order to calm down and take care of everyday affairs.
236. I rarely did self-tests; in the evening I did not read the prayer “I confess to you...”
237. I rarely thought about what I heard in the temple and read in the Scriptures.
238. I did not look for traits of kindness in an evil person and did not talk about his good deeds.
239. I often did not see my sins and rarely condemned myself.
240. Took contraceptives. She demanded protection from her husband and interruption of the act.
241. Praying for health and peace, I often went through names without the participation and love of my heart.
242. She spoke out everything when it would have been better to remain silent.
243. In the conversation I used artistic techniques. She spoke in an unnatural voice.
244. She was offended by inattention and neglect of herself, and was inattentive to others.
245. Did not abstain from excesses and pleasures.
246. She wore other people’s clothes without permission and damaged other people’s things. In the room I blew my nose on the floor.
247. She sought benefit and benefit for herself, and not for her neighbor.
248. Forced a person to sin: to lie, steal, spy.
249. Convey and retell.
250. I found pleasure in sinful dates.
251. Visited places of wickedness, debauchery and godlessness.
252. She offered her ear to hear the bad.
253. Attributed success to herself, and not to God’s help.
254. While studying spiritual life, I did not put it into practice.
255. She worried people in vain and did not calm the angry and saddened.
256. I often washed clothes, wasting time unnecessarily.
257. Sometimes she ran into danger: she crossed the road in front of vehicles, crossed a river on thin ice, etc.
258. She rose above others, showing her superiority and wisdom of mind. She allowed herself to humiliate another, mocking the shortcomings of soul and body.
259. I put off the works of God, mercy and prayer for later.
260. I didn’t mourn myself when I did a bad deed. I listened with pleasure to slanderous speeches, blasphemed the life and treatment of others.
261. Did not use excess income for spiritual benefits.
262. I did not save from the days of fasting to give to the sick, the needy and children.
263. She worked reluctantly, with grumbling and annoyance because of the low pay.
264. Was the cause of sin in family discord.
265. She endured sorrows without gratitude and self-reproach.
266. I didn’t always retire to be alone with God.
267. She lay and luxuriated in bed for a long time, and did not immediately get up to pray.
268. Lost self-control when defending the offended, kept hostility and evil in her heart.
269. Didn’t stop the speaker from gossiping. She herself often passed it on to others and with an addition from herself.
270. Before morning prayer and during the prayer rule, I did household chores.
271. She autocratically presented her thoughts as the true rule of life.
272. Ate stolen food.
273. I did not confess the Lord with my mind, heart, word, or deed. She had an alliance with the wicked.
274. At meals I was too lazy to treat and serve my neighbor.
275. She was sad about the deceased, about the fact that she herself was sick.
276. I was glad that the holiday had come and I didn’t have to work.
277. I drank wine on holidays. She loved going to dinner parties. I got fed up there.
278. I listened to the teachers when they said things that were harmful to the soul, against God.
279. Used perfume, burned Indian incense.
280. She was engaged in lesbianism and touched someone else’s body with voluptuousness. With lust and voluptuousness I watched the matings of animals.
281. She cared beyond measure about the nutrition of the body. Accepted gifts or alms at a time when there was no need to accept it.
282. I didn’t try to stay away from a person who likes to chat.
283. Didn’t get baptized, didn’t say a prayer when the church bell rang.
284. Being under the guidance of her spiritual father, she did everything according to her own will.
285. She was naked when swimming, sunbathing, doing physical education, and when she was sick she was shown to a male doctor.
286. She did not always remember and count her violations of the Law of God with repentance.
287. While reading prayers and canons, I was too lazy to bow.
288. Having heard that the person was sick, she did not rush to help.
289. In thought and word she exalted herself in the good she had done.
290. I believed the slander. She did not punish herself for her sins.
291. During church services, I read my household rule or wrote a memorial.
292. I did not abstain from my favorite foods (albeit lean ones).
293. She punished and lectured children unfairly.
294. I did not have daily memory of God’s Judgment, death, or the Kingdom of God.
295. During times of sadness, I did not occupy my mind and heart with the prayer of Christ.
296. She did not force herself to pray, to read the Word of God, or to cry about her sins.
297. She rarely commemorated the dead and did not pray for the dead.
298. She approached the Chalice with unconfessed sin.
299. In the morning I did gymnastics, and did not devote my first thoughts to God.
300. When praying, I was too lazy to cross myself, sorted out my bad thoughts, and didn’t think about what awaited me beyond the grave.
301. I hurried through prayer, shortened it out of laziness and read it without due attention.
302. I told my neighbors and acquaintances about my grievances. I visited places where bad examples were set.
303. She admonished a person without meekness and love. She became irritated when correcting her neighbor.
304. I didn’t always light the lamp on holidays and Sundays.
305. On Sundays I didn’t go to church, but to pick mushrooms and berries...
306. Had more savings than necessary.
307. I spared my strength and health in order to serve my neighbor.
308. She reproached her neighbor for what happened.
309. Walking on the way to the temple, I did not always read prayers.
310. Assented when condemning a person.
311. She was jealous of her husband, remembered her rival with anger, wished for her death, and used a witch doctor’s incantation to harass her.
312. I have been demanding and disrespectful towards people. Gained the upper hand in conversations with neighbors. On the way to the temple, she overtook those older than me, and did not wait for those who lagged behind me.
313. She turned her abilities to earthly goods.
314. Had jealousy towards my spiritual father.
315. I always tried to be right.
316. I asked unnecessary questions.
317. Cried about the temporary.
318. Interpreted dreams and took them seriously.
319. She boasted about her sin, the evil she had done.
320. After communion I did not guard against sin.
321. I kept atheist books and playing cards in the house.
322. She gave advice without knowing whether it was pleasing to God; she was careless in the affairs of God.
323. She accepted prosphora and holy water without reverence (she spilled holy water, spilled crumbs of prosphora).
324. I went to bed and got up without prayer.
325. She spoiled her children, not paying attention to their bad deeds.
326. During Lent, she practiced guttural diarrhea and loved to drink strong tea, coffee, and other drinks.
327. I took tickets and groceries from the back door, and rode on a bus without a ticket.
328. She put prayer and the temple above serving her neighbor.
329. Endured sorrows with despondency and murmuring.
330. I was irritated when tired and sick.
331. Had free relations with persons of the other sex.
332. When thinking about worldly affairs, she gave up prayer.
333. I was forced to eat and drink the sick and children.
334. She treated vicious people with contempt and did not strive to convert them.
335. She knew and gave money for an evil deed.
336. She entered the house without an invitation, spied through a crack, through a window, through a keyhole, and listened at the door.
337. Confided secrets to strangers.
338. I ate food without need and hunger.
339. I read prayers with errors, got confused, missed them, put the emphasis incorrectly.
340. She lived lustfully with her husband. She allowed perversion and carnal pleasures.
341. Lent and asked for debts back.
342. I tried to find out more about divine objects than was revealed by God.
343. She sinned with body movement, gait, gesture.
344. She set herself up as an example, boasted, boasted.
345. She spoke passionately about earthly things and delighted in the memory of sin.
346. I went to the temple and back with empty conversations.
347. I insured my life and property, I wanted to make money from the insurance.
348. She was greedy for pleasure, unchaste.
349. She conveyed her conversations with the elder and her temptations to others.
350. She was a donor not out of love for her neighbor, but for the sake of drinking, free days, for money.
351. Boldly and willfully plunged herself into sorrows and temptations.
352. I was bored and dreamed of travel and entertainment.
353. Made wrong decisions in anger.
354. I was distracted by thoughts while praying.
355. Traveled south for carnal pleasures.
356. I used the time of prayer for everyday matters.
357. She distorted words, distorted the thoughts of others, and expressed her displeasure out loud.
358. I was ashamed to admit to my neighbors that I am a believer and visit the temple of God.
359. She slandered, demanded justice in higher authorities, wrote complaints.
360. She denounced those who do not visit the temple and do not repent.
361. I bought lottery tickets with the hope of getting rich.
362. She gave alms and rudely slandered the beggar.
363. I listened to the advice of egoists who themselves were slaves of the womb and their carnal passions.
364. I was engaged in self-aggrandizement, proudly expecting a greeting from my neighbor.
365. I was burdened by fasting and looked forward to its end.
366. She could not bear the stench of people without disgust.
367. In anger she denounced people, forgetting that we are all sinners.
368. She went to bed, did not remember the affairs of the day and did not shed tears about her sins.
369. She did not keep the Charter of the Church and the traditions of the holy fathers.
370. She paid for help in the household with vodka and tempted people with drunkenness.
371. During fasting, I made tricks in food.
372. I was distracted from prayer when bitten by a mosquito, fly or other insect.
373. At the sight of human ingratitude, I refrained from doing good deeds.
374. She shunned dirty work: cleaning the toilet, picking up trash.
375. During the period of breastfeeding, she did not abstain from married life.
376. In the temple she stood with her back to the altar and the holy icons.
377. She prepared sophisticated dishes and tempted her with guttural madness.
378. I read entertaining books with pleasure, and not the Scriptures of the Holy Fathers.
379. I watched TV, spent all day at the “box”, and not in prayers in front of icons.
380. Listened to passionate worldly music.
381. She sought consolation in friendship, yearned for carnal pleasures, loved to kiss men and women on the mouth.
382. Engaged in extortion and deception, judged and discussed people.
383. While fasting, I felt disgusted by monotonous, lean food.
384. She spoke the Word of God to unworthy people (not “throwing pearls before swine”).
385. She neglected the holy icons and did not wipe them from dust in a timely manner.
386. I was too lazy to write congratulations on church holidays.
387. Spent time in worldly games and entertainment: checkers, backgammon, lotto, cards, chess, rolling pins, ruffles, Rubik's cube and others.
388. She charmed illnesses, gave advice to go to sorcerers, gave addresses of sorcerers.
389. She believed omens and slander: she spat over her left shoulder, a black cat ran by, a spoon, fork, etc. fell.
390. She answered the angry man sharply to his anger.
391. Tried to prove the justification and justice of her anger.
392. She was annoying, interrupted people’s sleep, and distracted them from their meals.
393. Relaxed with small talk with young people of the opposite sex.
394. Was engaged in idle talk, curiosity, stuck around fires and was present at accidents.
395. She considered it unnecessary to undergo treatment for illnesses and visit a doctor.
396. I tried to calm myself down by hastily fulfilling the rule.
397. I overworked myself with work.
398. I ate a lot during the meat-eating week.
399. Gave incorrect advice to neighbors.
400. She told shameful jokes.
401. To please the authorities, she covered the holy icons.
402. I neglected a person in his old age and his poverty of mind.
403. She stretched out her hands to her naked body, looked and touched the secret ouds with her hands.
404. She punished children with anger, in a fit of passion, with abuse and cursing.
405. Taught children to spy, eavesdrop, pimp.
406. She spoiled her children and did not pay attention to their bad deeds.
407. I had a satanic fear for my body, I was afraid of wrinkles and gray hair.
408. Burdened others with requests.
409. Drew conclusions about the sinfulness of people based on their misfortunes.
410. Wrote offensive and anonymous letters, spoke rudely, disturbed people on the phone, making jokes under an assumed name.
411. Sat on the bed without the owner’s permission.
412. During prayer I imagined the Lord.
413. Satanic laughter attacked while reading and listening to the Divine.
414. I asked advice from people ignorant in this matter, I believed in crafty people.
415. I strived for championship, competition, won interviews, participated in competitions.
416. Treated the Gospel as a fortune-telling book.
417. I picked berries, flowers, branches in other people's gardens without permission.
418. During fasting, she did not have a good disposition towards people and allowed violations of fasting.
419. I did not always realize and regret the sin.
420. I listened to worldly records, sinned by watching videos and porn movies, and relaxed in other worldly pleasures.
421. I read a prayer, having enmity against my neighbor.
422. She prayed in a hat, with her head uncovered.
423. I believed in omens.
424. I indiscriminately used papers on which the name of God was written.
425. She was proud of her literacy and erudition, imagined, singled out people with higher education.
426. She appropriated the money she found.
427. In church I put bags and things on the windows.
428. I rode for pleasure in a car, motor boat, or bicycle.
429. I repeated other people’s bad words, listened to people swearing.
430. I read newspapers, books, and worldly magazines with enthusiasm.
431. She abhorred the poor, the wretched, the sick, who smelled bad.
432. She was proud that she had not committed shameful sins, capital murder, abortion, etc.
433. I ate and got drunk before the onset of the fasts.
434. I purchased unnecessary things without having to.
435. After a prodigal sleep, I did not always read prayers against defilement.
436. She celebrated the New Year, wore masks and obscene clothes, got drunk, cursed, overeated and sinned.
437. Caused damage to her neighbor, spoiled and broke other people's things.
438. She believed in nameless “prophets”, in “holy letters”, “the dream of the Virgin Mary”, she herself copied them and passed them on to others.
439. I listened to sermons in church with a spirit of criticism and condemnation.
440. She used her earnings for sinful lusts and amusements.
441. Spread bad rumors about priests and monks.
442. She jostled around in the church, hurrying to kiss the icon, the Gospel, the cross.
443. She was proud, in her lack and poverty she was indignant and grumbled at the Lord.
444. I urinated in public and even joked about it.
445. She did not always repay what she borrowed on time.
446. She minimized her sins in confession.
447. Gloated at the misfortune of her neighbor.
448. She taught others in an instructive, commanding tone.
449. She shared their vices with people and confirmed them in these vices.
450. Quarreled with people for a place in the church, at the icons, near the eve table.
451. Inadvertently caused pain to animals.
452. I left a glass of vodka at the grave of relatives.
453. I did not sufficiently prepare myself for the sacrament of confession.
454. The sanctity of Sundays and holidays was violated by games, visits to shows, etc.
455. When the crops were being grassed, she swore at the cattle with dirty words.
456. I had dates in cemeteries; as a child we ran and played hide and seek there.
457. Allowed sexual intercourse before marriage.
458. She got drunk on purpose in order to decide to sin, and took medicine along with wine to get more drunk.
459. She begged for alcohol, pawned things and documents for this.
460. To attract attention to herself, to make her worry, she tried to commit suicide.
461. As a child, I didn’t listen to teachers, prepared my lessons poorly, was lazy, and disrupted classes.
462. I visited cafes and restaurants located in churches.
463. She sang in a restaurant, on the stage, and danced in a variety show.
464. In crowded transport, I felt pleasure from touching and did not try to avoid it.
465. She was offended by her parents for punishment, remembered these grievances for a long time and told others about them.
466. She reassured herself with the fact that everyday worries prevented her from engaging in matters of faith, salvation and piety, and justified herself with the fact that in her youth no one taught the Christian faith.
467. Wasted time on useless chores, fuss, and conversations.
468. Was engaged in the interpretation of dreams.
469. She objected with passion, fought, and scolded.
470. She sinned with thefts, as a child she stole eggs, gave them to a store, etc.
471. She was vain, proud, did not respect her parents, and did not obey the authorities.
472. She engaged in heresy, had a wrong opinion about the subject of faith, doubt and even apostasy from the Orthodox faith.
473. Had the sin of Sodom (coitus with animals, with the wicked, entered into an incestuous relationship).

Church life is filled with different rules and rituals. But there is one most important one - this is the Sacrament of Communion. However, you need to know exactly how to take communion in church. Otherwise, strict church orders can be violated. It is believed that this is an insult to God; such a sin should not be allowed. Therefore, this issue should be taken seriously.

What is Communion

Before taking communion in church, you need to devote several days to preparation. This is the most important Sacrament of the seven that exist in Orthodoxy. Catholics have similar sacraments. Protestant churches have different views on this issue.

During the Last Supper, Christ gave communion to his disciples for the first time and offered them bread and wine. Until the moment of the Savior’s death on the cross, people sacrificed animals as a prototype of future trials of the Son of God. After He was resurrected, there was no longer any need for other offerings. Therefore, prayers are now read over bread and wine. They also administer Communion.

Why do the churches demand that parishioners take communion and confess? How to do it right? This is a symbol of the unity of God with man. Christ Himself commanded that people do this. The sacrament transforms bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus. By accepting them, the believer accepts the Lord into himself. He maintains his spiritual strength at the proper level.

Communion gives a great “charge” of spirituality. It is especially important that this Sacrament be performed on the sick and dying. The living should start it regularly. At least once during Lent, preferably on every major holiday.

How to prepare for communion

In the Orthodox Church, everyone is not allowed to attend the sacrament. A number of conditions must be met:

• be an Orthodox Christian;

• maintain strict fasting (at least 3 days);

• read all the necessary prayers;

• go to confession after the All-Night Vigil;

• come to Liturgy in the morning.

Only if all these conditions are fulfilled will a parishioner be able to properly receive communion in the Church. In some churches, confession is not accepted the night before, but in the morning during the service. But then it turns out that during the Divine service people are distracted by standing in lines. It is still better to confess when there is no need to rush and there is no crowd around.

The following are allowed to the Sacrament without confession:

• infants (children under 6 years old) - however, it is not advisable to feed them before the service;

• those who received Baptism the day before - but they also need to fast and also read prayers.

The fast must be strict - you must give up all animal food (meat, fish, all dairy, eggs). The church calendar will help you find your way. It indicates which products are allowed. On some days, vegetable oil may also be prohibited. For sick and elderly people, the priest can make an exception, but in general it is not customary to relax the fast. You should also not drink after 12 midnight until the very moment of Communion.

How to confess in church correctly

Many are also concerned about the question of how to properly confess in church - embarrassment and inexperience get in the way. But in order to prove to God your firm desire to improve, you will have to overcome your fears. The priest is only a witness, he has seen and heard a lot, so it is unlikely that he will be greatly surprised. But before you approach your confessor, you need to prepare.

Since many people feel nervous during confession, there is a tradition of writing down their sins on a piece of paper. At the end of confession, the priest takes this “list” and tears it up, as a sign that the Lord forgives everything. To compose a confession, you can use a special brochure, or simply take the 10 commandments and think about how you sinned against each.

• During confession, you should not blame others, thereby justifying your negative behavior. Example: a wife yelled at her husband and said that it was “himself to blame” because he came drunk. Let it be so, but in any situation you must restrain yourself, act with love, without insults. Just like confessing in church, it is necessary to talk only about yourself, and not about others.

• There is also no need to boast that there are no sins against some commandments. And is this so? Adultery is considered not only physical betrayal, but even thoughts about it. Smoking is a slow form of suicide, and this is the gravest sin. In addition, the smoker harms those around him, aggravating his guilt. It is necessary to repent of this sin, because a Christian must maintain order not only in the soul, but also monitor the health of the body.

• There is no need to argue with the priest. This is a serious sin, for which one can be excommunicated from communion altogether. Most likely, there are things that are still unclear to you. You should reflect on what has been said.

There are no strict rules governing what to say in church during confession. It is important to show a sincere desire to improve. Confessors usually help those who are experiencing difficulties by asking questions. There is no need to list every sin whose name is found in the books. Many have a common root - pride, greed, unwillingness to work on oneself, dislike for neighbors.

Prayers and Worship

After the sins are named, the priest will cover his head with an epitrachelion (part of the vestment, a long embroidered strip) and read a special prayer. During this you will have to say your name. After this, take the blessing from the priest, listen to the instructions, if any. Then you need to go home to prepare further.

Before taking communion, you should read the daily prayer rule and special sacramental canons. They are published in all prayer books. The canon is a type of church poetry that tunes the soul in the right way. You can read them in church before confessing.

The canons are followed by prayers; they can be read in the morning, if there is time, but not during the Liturgy, but before it. The participle rule is sometimes divided into several parts to be read over three days. But then the necessary mood is not achieved. If in doubt, you need to ask the priest for advice - he will tell you what is best to do.

We must try to maintain peace of mind during the days of fasting and not quarrel with anyone, or all preparation will be lost. Many holy fathers teach that abstaining from certain foods is not as important as abstaining from anger and bad deeds.

• You must come to the Liturgy without delay.

• Small children are usually brought to Communion later - the priest will tell you what time to come.

• Women should not put on much perfume and make-up - the Church is not a secular get-together, but the Temple of God.

• If someone makes a remark in church, it is better not to be offended, but to thank and step aside.

• If after confession you have committed some sin, you must try to find your confessor and tell him about it. Usually, before Communion, one of the clergy leaves the altar to maintain order.

• Before going to the Chalice, you need to fold your hands on your chest so that the right one is on top. Make prostrations in advance!

If a person has just received Baptism, he is obliged to come to the next Liturgy. He will be allowed to receive Communion without confession. Otherwise, the “Christian” demonstrates complete disregard for everything on which spiritual life is built. Baptism as a ritual does not guarantee salvation; for this it is necessary to constantly improve.

Now you know how to properly receive communion and confess in church. Over time, most of the questions disappear by themselves, yesterday's newcomer becomes an experienced parishioner. May there be acceptance of the Holy Mysteries of Christ for the salvation of soul and body!

How to confess correctly for the first time

How to properly take communion and confess in church was last modified: July 8th, 2017 by Bogolub

One of the most important sacraments in Orthodoxy can be called Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ. This is the moment when the believer is united with the Son of God. However, you should know how preparation for communion occurs, especially for those who decide to receive it for the first time (for example, you need to confess, pray, etc.). This is necessary in order for the right attitude to appear, awareness of future unity with Christ.

Preparing for confession and communion is not a one-day procedure, so you need to know exactly what to do and when. This is exactly what the article will discuss.

What is the Sacrament of Communion?

Before you figure out where the preparation for communion begins (this is especially important for beginners), you should know what kind of sacrament it is in general. Christ first accepted it and commanded his followers to repeat it. The first communion took place at the Last Supper on the eve of his crucifixion.

Before the sacrament, a divine service is necessarily performed, which is called the Divine Liturgy, or Eucharist, which is translated from Greek as “thanksgiving.” It was this action that Christ performed in the distant past before giving communion to his disciples.

Thus, preparation for communion should include memories of these distant ancient events. All this allows you to tune in to the right mood, which will undoubtedly lead to a deeper acceptance of the Sacrament.

How often should you take communion?

Preparation for communion (especially for those who do it infrequently or for the first time) should include the concept of how many times you can participate in this sacrament. Here you should know that this action is voluntary, so you should in no way force yourself to do it. The main thing is to come to communion with a pure and light heart, when you want to join the Mystery of Christ. Those who are in any doubt should consult a priest.

It is recommended to start communion if you are internally ready for it. That Christian who lives with faith in God can perform this sacrament at every liturgy. If there are still doubts in your heart, but you believe in God and are on this path, then you can receive communion once a week or month. As a last resort during every major post. However, all this must be regular.

It should also be noted that, according to ancient sources, it was advisable to perform communion daily, but it would be good to do it four times a week (Sunday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday). Those who are just embarking on the path of the Christian faith should know that there is one day in the year - Maundy Thursday (before Easter), when communion is simply necessary, this is a tribute to the ancient tradition with which it all began. It is also written about in the article above.

Some clergy believe that frequent reception of the sacrament is unacceptable. However, it should immediately be said that, according to canonical laws, they are wrong. Here you need to look very deeply into a person and see how much he really needs this action. In addition, communion should not be mechanical. Therefore, if it is performed frequently, then the layman must constantly keep himself in good shape and be ready to accept the Gifts. Not everyone can do this, so what is described in this article about preparation should happen regularly. Constant prayers, confession and observance of all fasts. The priest should know about all this, since such a life cannot really be hidden.

Prayer rule before communion

So, now we will take a more specific look at all the points that need to be taken into account before preparing for the sacrament. First of all, it should be noted that home prayer before the Sacrament is very important. In the Orthodox Prayer Book there is a special sequence that is read before communion. This is preparation for communion. The prayers that are read before this, not only at home, but also in church, are also included in the preparation for the Sacrament. It is imperative to attend the service immediately before the Sacrament, but in general it is advisable to do this every day.

• prayer canon of the Mother of God;
• penitential canon to Jesus Christ;
• canon to the Guardian Angel.

Thus, conscious preparation for communion and confession, prayers from the heart can help the believer to understand the importance of the Sacrament and spiritually prepare for this miracle.

Fasting before communion

It is equally important to fast before communion. This is a must. After all, Holy Communion, preparation for which must take place consciously, is a very important rite, and it should not be mechanical, otherwise there will be no benefit from it.

So, those believers who regularly observe multi-day and one-day fasts are entitled only to the so-called liturgical fast. Its meaning is not to eat food or drink from twelve o'clock at night before receiving the Sacrament. This fast continues in the morning (i.e., communion occurs on an empty stomach).

For those parishioners who do not observe any fasts, as well as those who have just joined Orthodoxy, the priest can establish a seven-day or three-day fast before communion. All such nuances should be additionally agreed upon in the church and you should not be afraid to ask about them.

How to behave, what thoughts to avoid before the Sacrament

When preparation for communion begins, one must realize one’s sins in full. But in addition to this, to prevent them from becoming more numerous, you need to refrain from various amusements, for example, visiting the theater or watching TV. Spouses must renounce physical contact the day before communion and on the day of taking it.

Particular attention should be paid to your mood, behavior and thoughts. Make sure not to judge anyone, discard obscene and evil thoughts. Do not give in to a bad mood or irritation. Free time should be spent in solitude, indulging in reading spiritual books or prayer (as far as possible).

It should be noted that the most important thing for accepting the Holy Gifts of Christ is repentance. A person must sincerely repent of his actions. This is exactly what you need to focus your attention on. Fasting, prayer, reading scriptures are just means to achieve this state. And we need to remember this.

How to prepare for confession

Confession before communion is very important. Make this request to the priest of the church in which you are going to receive the Sacrament. Preparing for communion and confession is a special mindset aimed at correcting one’s sins, one’s bad behavior and unclean thoughts, as well as keeping track of everything that contradicts and violates the Commandments of the Lord. Everything that was found and consciously should be confessed. But remember about sincerity, do not turn the conversation with the priest into simply a formal listing of sins on a list.

So, why is such serious preparation for confession and communion necessary? You should realize your sins in advance in order to know what to tell the priest about. It often happens that a believer comes, but does not know what to say, where to start. You also need to tune in to the fact that the priest is just a guide; the Sacrament of Repentance remains with him and the Lord. Therefore, there is no need to feel embarrassed when talking about your sins. This is necessary to cleanse yourself and continue living freely.

Confession before communion: awareness of sins

So, the preparation for confession and communion is over. But the hardest part is yet to come. When you come to confession, open your heart without waiting for the priest’s questions. Tell us everything that weighs on your soul. It is better to perform this action in the evening, on the eve of the liturgy, although it would not be a mistake to do it in the morning before it.

If you are going to receive communion for the first time, it is better to confess the day before. This is necessary so that the priest has time to listen to you. If you want to confess in the morning, then choose a day when there are few people. For example, on Sunday there are a lot of parishioners in the church, so the priest will not be able to listen to you in detail. After confessing your sins, you should adhere to the right path and strive with all your might not to commit them in the future, otherwise what was the meaning of this spiritual conversation?

Communion day. What to do?

On the day of communion, you need to follow some rules. As mentioned above, you need to go to the temple on an empty stomach. If you smoke, then you need to abstain from cigarettes until you accept the Gifts of Christ. In church, when the moment comes for them to be taken out, you need to approach the altar, but let the children go ahead if they have come, since they receive communion first.

There is no need to be baptized near the Chalice; you just need to bow in advance, crossing your arms over your chest. Before accepting gifts, you need to say your Christian name, and then eat them immediately.

What should be done after a person has received communion?

The rules for preparing for communion also include knowledge of what needs to be done after the Sacrament has taken place. Kiss the edge of the Chalice and go to the table with prosphora to eat a piece. Do not leave the church until you kiss the altar cross that the priest will hold.

Also in the temple there are prayers of thanksgiving that need to be heard. As a last resort, you can read them at home yourself. Keep the purity you have received inside your soul. Each time this will happen easier and easier.

What you should know about giving communion to children and the sick

It should be said that young children (up to the age of seven) receive communion without confession. Also, they do not need to prepare the way an adult does (fasting, prayer, repentance). Those infants who have received baptism receive communion on the same day or during the nearest liturgy that follows their baptism.

Exceptions are also made for patients. They don’t have to prepare the way healthy people do, but if possible, they should at least confess. But if the patient cannot do this, then the priest reads “I believe, Lord, and I confess.” After which he immediately gives communion.

In church practice, parishioners who are temporarily excommunicated from communion, but are on their deathbed or in danger, are not denied the acceptance of the Holy Gifts. However, upon recovery (if this happens), the ban continues to apply.

Who cannot take communion

Preparation for communion for beginners includes knowing who cannot receive it. This will be discussed below:

• those who have not confessed cannot receive communion (with the exception of children under seven years of age);
• parishioners who have been excommunicated from receiving the Holy Sacraments also cannot receive communion;
• those who are insensible;
• parishioners who are insane and possessed if they blaspheme in their fits (if this does not happen, then you can give communion, but this should not happen every day);
• spouses who had an intimate life on the eve of receiving the Sacraments;
• Women who are menstruating cannot receive communion.

A brief reminder for those taking communion and confessing

So, now let’s summarize all the moments that arise when preparing for confession and communion. The reminder will help you not to forget all the steps.

1. Consciousness of sin.
2. Repentance is perfect, a special state when you have forgiven everyone and do not feel evil.
3. Preparing for confession. Here you need to reconsider what sins there may be: in relation to God, loved ones, to yourself (smoking, for example), carnal sins, those that relate to the family (infidelity and the like).
4. Correct and sincere, without concealment, confession.
5. Post if necessary.
6. Prayers.
7. Direct communion.
8. Further retention of purity and Christ in the body.

Separately, it is necessary to say about how to behave in church during communion.

1. Don't be late for the liturgy.
2. You need to cross yourself when opening the royal doors, then fold your hands crosswise. Approach and move away from the Chalice in the same way.
3. Approach from the right side, and the left should be free. Don't push.
4. Communion should take place in turn: bishop, presbyters, deacons, subdeacons, readers, children, adults.
5. Women must come to the temple without lipstick.
6. Before accepting the Gifts of Christ, do not forget to say your name.
7. People do not cross themselves directly before the Chalice.
8. It happens that the Holy Gifts are given from two or more Chalices. In this case, you should choose one, since receiving communion more than once a day is considered a sin.
9. At home, after communion, you need to read prayers of thanksgiving, if you did not listen to them in church.

Now, perhaps, you know all the stages that include communion in church and preparation for it. It is very important to approach this consciously, with deep faith in your heart. The most important thing is repentance for your sins, which must be true, and not just in words. But you shouldn’t stop there either. You need to reject sin from life as something alien, understand that it is impossible to live like this, realize that lightness can only come with purity.

Finally

So, as we see, preparation for communion is a serious stage before the Sacrament itself. All recommendations must be followed in order to come ready to receive the Gifts of Christ. It is necessary to realize in advance the importance of this moment, which is why more diligent prayer is required. Fasting will help a believer cleanse his body, and confession to a priest will help him cleanse his soul. Conscious preparation for communion and confession will help the parishioner understand that this Sacrament is not at all one of the many rites, but something deeper. This is a special communication with the Lord, as a result of which the life of a Christian changes dramatically.

However, it should be taken into account (this is important primarily for those parishioners who have just set out on the path of repentance) that it is impossible to fix everything at once. If you have been building up a sinful burden for decades, then you need to get rid of it gradually. And taking communion is the first step on this path.

How to confess correctly? Many priests require thoughtfulness, and not a formal approach, at the same time, I was very embarrassed by our priest when, after a series of “somehow” confessions that did not bring relief, I finally thoughtfully approached this issue, wrote everything on a piece of paper, I read it out, and he said that this was empty verbiage, God sees and knows everything, we must speak briefly and to the point, that this was a confession not for God, but for ourselves. In general, there was a residue left, it turns out why go to him at all - you can repent at home. I always thought that the main thing in confession is to look into your soul, but it turns out that the main thing is not to bother the priest with a lot of verbiage. Why is that? It turns out that we must continue to say the standard set of sins, because that’s what he demands? Tatiana.

Archpriest Alexander Ilyashenko answers:

Hello Tatiana!

Confession should indeed be thoughtful, but “thoughtful” does not mean “long.” Because most often confession is delayed for several reasons. Firstly, when we try to explain to the priest all the circumstances under which the sin was committed, but most often with these unnecessary details we either try to justify ourselves, or do not repent, but retell some episode from our life. For example, a person offended someone. In confession you need to say this: I repent, I am a sinner, I have offended a person. And don’t tell me that such and such a person told me this and that, and I answered him like that, and he was offended, but I didn’t want that at all, but wanted what was best, because…. Well, and so on. This is completely wrong to repent. We must remember that confession is an important part of repentance, but repentance should not be limited to confession. First, we really need to think, understand what we have sinned about, pray, repent before God, then we need to ask for forgiveness from those against whom we have sinned, reconcile with them, and try, if possible, to correct what we have done - or firmly decide, as in In the future we will act in similar situations. And then go to confession.
Secondly, confession can be long, but not thoughtful, when a person lists a huge number of small, everyday sins, but behind this listing he loses the actual repentance - the main thing becomes to name everything, not to miss anything, to list everything. Of course, you can write down your sins on a piece of paper, but one of the priests said, for example, that if I have pain somewhere, I can immediately point it out to the doctor, and it should be the same during confession: if I sincerely repent of something, then I don’t need to read it out of a piece of paper, this sin is so painful for me that I simply cannot forget about it.
Thirdly, sometimes confession turns into a “heart-to-heart conversation” with a priest, and this is also wrong. You need to make a very clear distinction: now I’m confessing, but now I want to ask the priest about something, ask for advice, etc.
And the point here is not to not tire the priest with a lot of verbiage, but to ensure that we learn to repent correctly.
In your situation, I would advise the following. Firstly, do not be offended by the priest. If you have been confessing to this priest for a long time and regularly, then you can simply talk to him and tell him about your embarrassment. Secondly, if you want to confess in detail, then you need to choose a time convenient for both you and the priest. Because if you confess in the morning, during the Liturgy, and even on Sunday or on a holiday, when there are a lot of people in the church, then you need to understand that the priest can spend 2-3 minutes on each person confessing, so that everyone who wants can confess and receive communion , and the service would not have been prolonged due to confession. Thirdly, I would advise you to read or listen to conversations about confession, for example, by Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh, which our website now, during Lent, offers among other materials for daily reading during Lent. Perhaps you will find answers to your questions and confusion in these conversations. God help you!

Sincerely, Archpriest Alexander Ilyashenko.