On Preparation for Confession, According to the Russian Tradition

Fr. Alexander Svirelin (+1906)

Superintendent of the Pereslavl Theological School

 

Behold, brethren, the time of fasting and repentance has already arrived; the days of preparation and confession of the sins we have committed have drawn near. Let us now speak about what is required of those approaching confession and the holy sacrament of repentance. The Holy Church appoints for us an entire week for preparation for confession. In what, then, should our preparation consist?

First of all, during this week one must, without neglect, except in extreme cases, attend church and pray, that the Lord may help to bring forth true repentance. We, by our nature, are so weak that by ourselves we cannot bring forth true repentance for our own sins. That is why the Holy Church always, and especially in these days of repentance, prays on our behalf, placing, so to speak, in our mouths this penitential prayer: Open unto me the doors of repentance…

Then, in domestic life also, one must conduct oneself much more strictly than at other times: to partake of Lenten food, but in a smaller quantity than in previous fasting days; to guard oneself in every way from idle conversations and from listening to unedifying tales. If anyone can read, let him read Holy Scripture and edifying accounts of the lives of God’s saints, and not stories and fables describing all kinds of events and circumstances from human life, often seductive, frequently disturbing to the soul, and generally not providing edification.

Let prayer enter into the heart and proceed from our lips at the beginning of any domestic or occupational task. Throughout the whole week, especially at the end of the day, before going to sleep, let each examine his life throughout the whole year, recall all sinful deeds, weigh them before the judgment of his conscience, without the slightest indulgence—this is necessary in order to awaken in oneself a feeling of repentance, so as not to stand idly before the spiritual father, not to answer his questions about sins with: “I do not know, Father! Perhaps this or that transgression has happened!”

Let those who have wives be as though they had none.

Especially beneficial for the salvation of the soul in this week is to give alms and to do other works of mercy toward one’s neighbor. On the very day of confession, before the confession itself, one must ask forgiveness from one’s brethren, and only then go to the spiritual father to confess one’s sins. Do not think, brethren, that asking forgiveness from our brethren is a matter of little importance or even unnecessary. Behold what the Lord Himself says: If you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you—leave your gift there before the altar, and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. This means that even our gifts brought into the temple of God—for example, if you place a candle before an icon or bring something else for the benefit of the church—will not be pleasing to the Lord if we are in enmity with someone. Therefore, confession while in enmity with anyone cannot be true.

Yes, indeed, brethren, what does it mean that we, for example, do not wish to be reconciled with our enemy? What hinders this? It is hindered by our pride, our obstinacy, our self-love...

And in pride and self-love can repentance be true and sincere? Of course not!

This is what preparation for confession should consist of: so prepare yourselves for this holy work, and likewise accustom your children to it. Remember yourselves, and instill in your children, that confession is not an empty matter and not an ordinary matter like many other affairs of life, but such an important matter that upon its worthy fulfillment depends the remission of our sins and our justification before the face of the Righteous Judge—God. Amen.

 

Russian source: Владимирские епархиальные ведомости [Vladimir Diocesan Gazette], 1871, No. 3, pp. 62-64.