My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.
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THE NATIVITY FAST: REPENTANCE, FASTING, AND PRAYER
Repentance (Metanoia)
The Mystery (Sacrament) of Repentance is a grace-giving rite in which, after the faithful offer repentance of their sins, the remission of sins is bestowed by the mercy of God through the intermediary of a pastor (priest) of the Church, in accordance with the Savior's promise.
In the Mystery of Repentance, the spiritual afflictions of a man are treated, impurities of the soul are removed, and a Christian, having received forgiveness of sins, again becomes innocent and sanctified, just as he came out of the waters of Baptism. The Mysterion of Repentance is sometimes referred to as "the second baptism." Therefore, the Mystery of Repentance is called a "spiritual medicine."
One's sins, which draw a man downward, which dull his mind, heart, and conscience, which blind his spiritual gaze, which make powerless his Christian will-are annihilated and one's living bond with the Church and with the Lord God is restored. Being relieved of the burden of sins, a man (person) again comes to life spiritually and becomes able to strengthen himself and become perfected in the good Christian path.
The Mystery (Sacrament) of Repentance consists to two basic actions: (1) the confession of his sins before a priest of the Church by the person coming to the Mystery; and (2) the prayer of forgiving and remitting them, pronounced by the priest.
This Mysterion (Sacrament) is also called the Mysterion of Confession (even though the confession of sins comprises only the first, preliminary part of it), and this indicates the importance of the sincere revelation of one's soul and the manifestation of one's sins.
Confession--that is, pronouncing aloud--is the expression of "inward repentance," its result, its indicator. And what is repentance (metanoia)? Repentance is not only "awareness" of one's sinfulness or a simple "acknowledgement" of oneself as unworthy (anaxios); it is not contrition or regret (although all these aspects should enter into repentance). Rather, it is an act of one's "will for correction," a desire and firm intention, a resolve, to battle against evil inclinations; and this condition of soul is united with a petition for God's help in the battle against one's evil inclinations. Such a heartfelt and sincere repentance is necessary so that the effect of this Mysterion (Sacrament) might extend not only to the "removal" of sins but so that there might also enter the opened soul a grace-giving "healing" which does not allow the soul again to become immersed in the filth of sin.
The very uttering aloud of one's spiritual afflictions and falls before a spiritual father--the confession of sins--has the significance that by means of it there are overcome (a) pride, the chief source of sins, and (b) the despondency of hopelessness in one's correction and salvation. The manifestation of the sin brings one already near to casting it away from oneself.
Those who approach the Mysterion of Metanoia (Repentance) prepare themselves for it by an effort of prayer, fasting, and entering deeply within themselves, with the aim of uncovering and acknowledging their sinfulness.
The mercy of God goes out to meet the repenting Christian, testifying through the lips of the spiritual father, that the Heavenly Father does not reject one who comes to Him, just as He did not reject the prodigal son and the repentant publican. This testimony consists of the words of the special prayer and the special words of remission which are pronounced by the Priest. (Orthodox Dogmatic Theology)
As every Orthodox Christian understands the Mysterion (Sacrament) of Repentance/Confession is absolutely necessary for forgiveness of sins and in preparation of receiving the Divine Eucharist, the Holy and Precious Body, and Blood of our Savior.
None of the Mysteria (Sacraments) of the Church should be ever marginalized or disrespected. They were instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ to save us from sin and death, to reconcile us to God and to establish communion with Him.
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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" - Saint John Chrysostomos
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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry)
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+Father George