Introduction

The Holy Mystery of Repentance is in truth another baptism. It is the power of God to forgive and cleanse us from all sin and to grant us the knowledge and strength to live the life into which we have been baptized, the life in Jesus Christ. It is, therefore, essential that we understand this mystery, inasmuch as we are able, and that we accept this great gift of God for our salvation, approaching it as often as we should.

Those advanced in the spiritual life, or beginners completely committed to it, often come to this holy mystery daily or even more often. Those of us who have only the desire for growth in spiritual life should come weekly and more often if we experience special difficulties in our lives. This will provide the opportunity for us to examine our lives regularly and to open them to the examination of a spiritual guide. It will encourage us to repent and recommit ourselves to the life into which we have been baptized and gain for ourselves the forgiveness and grace of our God to live the life He offers us.

A mystery so great as this, with such wondrous blessings, demands thorough preparation on our part before we come to it. We must prepare our souls and bodies for receiving the great grace that God is ready to pour out on us. We do this by prayer, fasting, and works in cooperation with Divine Grace.

Fasting is a part of our preparation for any of God's blessings. This is why the Church sets fasts for all of us on earth throughout the year. We should always observe these fasts diligently, and at times we should even increase our efforts to prepare ourselves for God's grace in a special way. Fasting should make us hungry for God, and it should quiet the demands of the flesh. Fasting can render these benefits only when we fast sincerely and not simply out of obligation to meet "the letter of the law."

We should also perform works of charity to open our lives to God. We encounter God when we help those in need. We should read the Holy Scriptures and spiritual writings to prepare our hearts. The following passages are especially helpful:

(1) The Sermon on the Mount (St. Matthew 5-7; St. Luke 6).

(2) The First Epistle of St. John.

(3) I Corinthians 13.

(4) Romans 12, 13, and 14.

(5) The Holy Psalms, especially 6, 31, 37, 50, 101, 129, 142.

Also highly recommended is the monograph of our beloved Metropolitan Antony (Khrapovitsky), entitled Confession: A Series of Lectures on the Mystery of Repentance, published by Holy Trinity Monastery, Jordanville, N. Y., 1975. This booklet is the best single handbook on the Mystery of Repentance in English. It should be in every Orthodox household. The self-examination based on the Ten Commandments found in this book owes much to this work.

Finally, we prepare ourselves for the holy Mystery of Repentance by prayer and through rigorous self-examination. Prayers of preparation along with a canon of repentance by St. Tikhon of Zadonsk are included in this book. Also included are several instructions of our father among the saints, Theophan the Recluse, that great teacher of the spiritual life. The order of the Mystery of Repentance is also included in its entirety.

Here is an outline of how we should prepare ourselves for this great Mystery of Repentance:

(1) Fast according to the Church's discipline. Consult the church calendar for the discipline for each day of the year.

(2) Show charity to others and read relevant passages from the Holy Scriptures and other spiritual works and attempt to be reconciled to all.

(3) Pray the prayers of preparation and make a thorough examination of your life.

(4) Repent of your sins and open your heart to God's forgiving and saving power.

(5) Read the introductory prayers in the Order of the Holy Mystery of Repentance immediately before you make your confession.

(6) Confess all of your sins to the father confessor, holding back nothing from shame or fear of being exposed.

(7) Accept God's forgiveness and power to live the life in Christ.

(8) Give thanks to God for His great gifts.

(9) Diligently observe any penance (canon, epitimia) given by the father confessor.

(10) Use the grace given to you by God to live the life in Christ.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

--I John 1:8, 9.