# Sacrament of Confession Source: https://coptic-lore-forge.lovable.app/wiki/sacrament-of-confession — Coptic Orthodox Wiki (updated 2026-10-02) The Sacrament of Confession involves acknowledging sins before a priest with genuine contrition in order to receive absolution.[^1] ## Meaning and scriptural foundation Sacramental confession is the acknowledgment of sins and faults before a priest, accompanied by genuine contrition, for the purpose of receiving absolution.[^1] Its outward signs are verbal confession and priestly absolution, and its inward graces are forgiveness, release from guilt, salvation, and reconciliation to God.[^2] The authority to forgive or retain sins is grounded in Christ’s promises concerning binding and loosing and in his words to the disciples after the resurrection in John 20:22–23; this authority is transmitted to their successors in the episcopate and priesthood.[^1] ## Preparation and confession The conditions of penitence include wholehearted contrition, determination to improve one’s life, faith in Jesus Christ as the sole Redeemer, and disclosure of sins to a priest who can grant sacramental absolution.[^3] *Understanding the Liturgy* describes the following preparation and sequence:[^4] - The penitent first acknowledges sin before God and asks for help in overcoming weakness, then recalls these sins in preparation for confession to the priest.[^4] - In the priest’s presence, the penitent acknowledges sins humbly, without making excuses, and listens to the confessor’s advice.[^4] - The penitent bows the head to receive absolution; the text recommends silently reciting Psalm 51 during the prayer.[^4] ## Absolution and its prayers The priest gives absolution in God’s name, not his own, to a penitent who is truly contrite, confesses, and promises not to return to former wrongdoing.[^5] The Coptic form is precatory—that is, expressed as a prayer—with the response, “May God absolve you”; forgiveness belongs to God’s authority and grace alone.[^6] In the rite, the penitent kneels before the sanctuary entrance while the priest holds the cross and begins with the prayer of thanksgiving, Psalm 51, and the intercession for the sick.[^7] The priest then places the cross on the penitent’s head and reads three absolution prayers addressed to God the Son.[^7] ## Penance and Communion Penance is described as remedial discipline assigned by a priest, proportionate to the seriousness of the sin and intended to heal the soul and help prevent relapse.[^8] Following sacramental confession, it may include additional fasting, prayers, genuflections, almsgiving, or temporary exclusion from Communion.[^8] *Understanding the Liturgy* presents repentance and absolution as spiritual preparation for receiving Communion.[^9] It interprets Christ’s washing of the disciples’ feet as a symbol of confession, distinguishing the cleansing of everyday sins from baptism, which is received only once.[^10] ## The confessor and setting The confessor must be an authorized priest with spiritual integrity, sound knowledge of church doctrine, and discernment.[^11] He should be trustworthy and discreet, pray and fast for those who confess to him, and treat rich and poor patiently without expectation of material reward.[^12] Confessions are ordinarily received on church premises, with exceptions for disability or inability to attend.[^12] ## Historical forms Both private confession and an early practice of public confession before the congregation existed, and the latter gradually disappeared in favor of private confession.[^2] ## Sources [^1]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 2, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 654) [^2]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 2, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 656) [^3]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 2, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 655) [^4]: Understanding the Liturgy, Father Athanasius Iskander (p. 86) [^5]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 1, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 46) [^6]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 1, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 46) [^7]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 1, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 47) [^8]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 6, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 580) [^9]: Understanding the Liturgy, Father Athanasius Iskander (p. 82) [^10]: Understanding the Liturgy, Father Athanasius Iskander (p. 62) [^11]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 2, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 656) [^12]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 2, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 657) [^13]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 6, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 580) [^14]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 2, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 655)