Confession
The Holy Mystery of Repentance
Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation
2500 Clairmont Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
(404) 633-7358 (404) 633-5870
Preparation for the Holy Mystery of Repentance
A Canon of Repentance
Lord my God, save Thou the soul of Thy servant that hath been washed in Thy Blood, and open unto him the gates of the Kingdom of Heaven.
No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us. By this know we that we dwell in Him, and He is in us, because He hath given us of His Spirit (John 1: 18, 1 John 4:12-13).
The heart is deep beyond all things, and it is man, and who can know him? (Jer. 17:9).
From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch let Israel hope in the Lord. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption; and He shall redeem Israel out of all his iniquities (Psalms 129:5-6). 0 God, be merciful to me, a sinner.
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee! 0 Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of good things, and Giver of life, come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, 0 Good One.
The Trisagion Prayers
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3 times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from Our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, look upon and heal our infirmities, for Thy name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (3 times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in the heavens,
hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Priest: For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Have mercy on us, 0 Lord, have mercy on us, for devoid of all defense, we sinners offer unto Thee as Master this prayer, have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Lord, have mercy on us, for in Thee have we hoped; be not very wroth with us, neither remember our transgressions, but look down now upon us, since Thou art tenderhearted, and deliver us from our enemies, for Thou art our God, and we are Thy people, we are all the works of Thy hands, and we call upon Thy name.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Open unto us the door of thy tenderheartedness, 0 blessed Theotokos; in that we have hoped in thee, may we not perish, but through thee be delivered from adversities, for thou art the salvation of the generation of Christians.
Lord, have mercy. (12 times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Come, let us worship God our King.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and our God.
Psalm 50
Have mercy on me, 0 God, according to Thy great mercy, and according to the multitude of Thy compassions, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know mine iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee only have I sinned and done evil before Thee, that Thou mightiest be justified in thy words and prevail when Thou art judged. For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear me. For behold, Thou hast loved truth; the hidden and secret things of Thy wisdom hast Thou revealed unto me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed; thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me hear joy and gladness; the bones that have been humbled shall rejoice. Turn away Thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, 0 God, and renew a right spirit in mine inmost parts. Cast me not away from Thy face, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and establish me with a guiding spirit. I shall teach transgressors Thy ways, and the ungodly shall return unto Thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, 0 God, the God of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in Thy righteousness. 0 Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would have given it; with burnt-offerings Thou wilt not be pleased. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; a broken and humbled heart God will not despise. Do good, 0 Lord, in Thy good will unto Sion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then shalt Thou be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and burnt-offerings; then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.
The Canon of Repentance
Ode I
Irmos: When Israel passed on foot over the sea as if it were dry land, and beheld their pursuer, Pharaoh, drowning in the sea, they cried aloud unto God: Let us sing a song of victory!
Have mercy on me, 0 God, have mercy on me. When I think of the many evil things I have done, wretch that I am, I tremble at the fearful day of judgment. But trusting in Thy loving kindness, like David I cry to Thee: Have mercy on me, 0 God, according to Thy great mercy.
Have mercy on me, 0 God, have mercy on me. Open to me the gates of repentance, 0 Giver of life, for my spirit riseth early to pray towards Thy holy temple, bearing the temple of my body all-defiled. But in Thy compassion, purify me by the loving kindness of Thy mercy.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. 0 Lord Almighty, I know how much tears can accomplish: they led Hezekiah forth from the gates of death, delivered the sinful woman from long-standing iniquities, and justified the publican beyond the Pharisee; and, numbered with them, I pray: Have mercy on me.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Lead me on the paths of salvation, 0 Theotokos, for I have profaned my soul with shameful sins, and have wasted my life in laziness. But by thine intercessions, deliver me from all impurity.
Ode 3
Irmos: There is none holy but Thou, 0 Lord my God, Who hast exalted the power of Thy faithful, 0 Blessed One, and hast established us upon the rock of Thy confession.
Have mercy on me, 0 God, have mercy on me. Like the prodigal son do I also approach Thee, 0 Compassionate One, having squandered all my life; in departing I have wasted the riches that Thou didst bestow upon me, 0 Father. Accept me that repent, 0 God, and have mercy on me.
Have mercy on me, 0 God, have mercy on me. Stretching forth Thy fatherly arms, receive me now, 0 Lord, as Thou didst receive the prodigal, 0 Compassionate One, that I may thankfully glorify Thee.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Glory to Thee Who hast not thus far destroyed me! Glory to Thee Who art patient with mine iniquities! Accept me who turn away from Thee, 0 compassionate Father, Only-begotten Son, Holy Spirit, my Creator and Lord, and have mercy on me.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Having shown forth all of Thy beneficence upon me, 0 God, through the divine entreaties of Thy Mother disregard the multitude of my transgressions, in that Thou art my Benefactor.
Ode 4
Irmos: Christ is my strength, my God and Lord, with reverence singeth the holy Church, raising her voice in purity and keeping feast in the Lord.
Have mercy on me, 0 God, have mercy on me.
Woe is me! What shall become of me? What shall I do? Committing sin, fool that I am! I have not feared the Master; wherefore, even before the judgment I am condemned. 0 -good and just Judge, turning unto me, save me who have angered Thee more than all men. Have mercy on me, 0 God, have mercy on me. I have sinned, 0 Lord, I have sinned before Thee. Cleanse Thou me! For there is none among men that sin whom I have not surpassed in iniquity.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. 0 Lover of man, Who desirest that all be saved, raise me up and receive me who repent, for Thou art good.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Lord, 0 Lord, Whom all fear, trembling before the countenance of Thy might, before Thee do I fall prostrate, 0 Immortal One; Thee do I implore, 0 Holy One: Save Thou my soul, through the intercessions of Thy saints and of the Theotokos.
Ode 5
Irmos: I entreat Thee, gracious Lord, with Thy divine light shine upon the souls of those who with love seek Thee early in the morning: May they know Thee, Word of God, as God in very truth, who recallest them from the gloomy darkness of transgression.
Have mercy on me, 0 God, have mercy on me. Cast into the deep abyss of pleasures, I call upon the depths of Thy compassion, 0 Divine Helmsman: Save me!
Have mercy on me, 0 God, have mercy on me. Wellspring of compassion, do Thou now grant me compunction and sighing, that I may lament the boundless sea of my evil deeds.
Glory to the Father, and to tile Son, and to the Holy Spirit. The span of my life is short and full of pain and evil; yet accept me in repentance, and call me to my senses. That I may be neither the spoils nor the sustenance of him that is alien to our race, 0 Savior, do Thou Thyself take pity on me.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Thou art our weapon and a wall of defense, 0 Virgin Theotokos; thou art a help unto them that call upon thee. And now in prayer do I move thee, that I may be delivered from mine enemies.
Ode 6
Irmos: Beholding the sea of life surging with the storm of temptations, and taking refuge in Thy calm haven I cry unto Thee: Raise up my life from corruption, 0 greatly merciful One,
Have mercy on me, 0 God, have mercy on me. Taking pity, save me, 0 Son of God. Have mercy, Thou Who didst heal the possessed by a word. Speak unto me with the voice of compassion, as Thou didst to the thief. "Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with Me in Paradise, when I come into My Kingdom.
Have mercy on me, 0 God, have mercy on me. Ask not of me worthy fruits of repentance, for my strength hath failed within me. Grant me a contrite heart and poverty of spirit, that I may offer these to Thee as an acceptable sacrifice, O Thou Who alone art our Savior.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. O Lover of man, I have not the boldness to lift mine eyes and gaze unto the measureless heights, having sinned against heaven; nor can I call myself Thy prodigal son; yet take pity on me freely, O Thou Who hast boundless mercy.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. O Virgin Mary, at the hour of judgment do thou entreat the Judge Whom thou didst bear, that He have compassion, O Pure One, and save the condemned, O thou who alone art intercessor for man.
Ode 7
Irmos: An angel made the furnace moist with dew for the Holy Children, but the Chaldeans were consumed in flames by God’s commands, so that the tyrant cried aloud: "O God of our Fathers, blessed art Thou!"
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me. I dare not lift mine eyes to heaven, wretch that I am, because of mine evil deeds; but like the publican, sighing I cry out to Thee: Cleanse me, a sinner, and deliver me from the hypocrisy of the Pharisee, O God of our Fathers, Who alone art compassionate.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me. Thieves have fallen upon my soul and left it wounded by my transgressions, barely alive; but heal me, O God of our Fathers.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Perceiving the barrenness of my much-suffering soul, yet do Thou forbear, O Christ, and cut me not down like the cursed fig tree, O God of our Fathers.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. O All-pure One, grant me aid by thine intercessions, repelling the attacks of grievous misfortunes.
Ode 8
Irmos: Thou hast made dew fall from the flames for the Holy Children, and Thou hast burnt up with water the sacrifice of Thy righteous servant, for Thou, O Christ, dost accomplish all things by Thy will alone, and we exalt Thee above all for evermore.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me. Having rolled away the stone of obstinance from my heart, O Lord, raise up my soul which hath been slain by the passions, O Good One, and vouchsafe unto me in compunction to bring Thee palms, as to the Vanquisher of hell, O Master, that I may obtain eternal life, O Thou Who alone lovest man, hymning Thy dominion and compassion unto all the ages.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me. I have enriched myself with unseemly thoughts, wretch that I am. I have defiled my soul with wicked pleasures, and the darkness of despair. Shed upon me the radiance of repentance, O my God, that I may thankfully glorify Thee unto all the ages.
Let us bless the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Lord. Wasting away with the disease of sin, I am laid low upon the bed of despair. Wherefore, do Thou visit me in Thy love for man, O Physician of the sick, and leave me not to sleep grievously unto death, O All-compassionate One, that I may cry out to Thee, O Bestower of mercy: O Lord, glory to Thee!
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. O most holy Mother of God, Rampart of Christians, deliver thy servant who am want to cry earnestly unto thee; oppose thou my vile and prideful thoughts, that I may cry to thee: Rejoice, O Ever-Virgin!
Ode 9
Irmos: It is not possible for men to see God upon Whom the ranks of angels dare not gaze, but through thee, O All-pure One, was the Word Incarnate revealed unto men, Whom magnifying together with the Heavenly Hosts, we call thee blessed.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me. To Thee do I flee, O Jesus, Son of God, Who didst assume the guise of a servant for my sake, wretch that I am; have mercy on me through the intercession of Thy Bodiless Hosts.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me. Before Thee do I fall prostrate, O my Deliverer; through the entreaties of Thy Forerunner and of all Thy Prophets and Forebearers, have mercy on me.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me. To Thee do I sigh, O Lover of man, Thou only Refuge and Hope of sinners, Savior of all; through the prayers of Thy Disciples who preached Thee, the Savior, to us, have mercy on me.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me. I stretch forth my hands to Thee Who suffered sinners, O Son of God; through the supplications of Thy Martyrs, who shed their blood for Thy sake, have mercy on me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. I am not worthy to lift up mine eyes and gaze upon the heights of heaven because of the multitude of my transgressions, bound with many iron chains, so that I may not raise my head. Yet, O compassionate Lord, show forth upon me all Thy goodness, save me who am unworthy, and have mercy on me through the intercessions of Thy Saints.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. In Thy goodness, being well-pleased to be born of the most pure Virgin and to abide upon earth with men, O Word of God, do Thou have mercy upon me through her intercession and that of all the Saints who have ever been pleasing unto Thee.
It is truly meet to bless thee, O Theotokos, ever-blessed and most pure and the Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, without corruption thou gavest birth to God the Word. True Theotokos, we magnify thee.
Prayer after the Canon of Repentance
Lord Christ our God, Who hast healed my passions through Thy Passion, and hast cured my wounds through Thy Wounds, grant me who have sinned greatly against Thee tears of compunction. Transform my body with tile fragrance of Thy life-giving Body, and sweeten my soul with Thy I holy Blood from the bitterness with which the foe hath fed me. Lift up my downward-looking mind to Thee, and take it out of the pit of perdition, for I have no repentance; I have no compunction; I have no consoling tears which uplift children to their heritage. My mind hath been darkened through the earthly passions; I cannot look up to Thee in pain. I cannot warm myself with tears of love for Thee. But, O Lord Jesus Christ, Treasury of good gifts, give me through repentance and a diligent heart to seek Thee. Grant in Thy grace, and renew in me the lineaments of Thine image. I have forsaken Thee; do not forsake me! Come out to seek me; lead me up to Thy pasturage and number me among the lambs of Thy chosen flock. Nourish me with them on the grass of Thy Holy Mysteries, by the prayers of Thy most pure Mother and all Thy Saints. Amen.
The Trisagion Prayers
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3 times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, look upon and heal our infirmities, for Thy name’s sake.
Lord have mercy. (3 times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in the heavens, hallowed be. Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Priest: For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (3 times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, without corruption thou gavest birth to God the Word. True Theotokos, we magnify thee.
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.
Amen.
Self-examination according to the Ten Commandments
First Commandment
Thou shall have none other gods before Me (Deuteronomy 5:7).
Have I believed in God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, One God in Three Persons?
Have I acknowledged God as the Lord, the Source of all good things, the Savior of my soul and body?
Have I loved God with all my heart, mind, soul and strength?
Have I constantly had the thought of God in my mind and the fear of God in my heart?
Have I failed to trust in God and His mercy?
Has my faith in God been shaken by skepticism or doubt?
Have I complained against God in time of adversity?
Have I been thankful for God’s blessings?
Have I questioned or doubted the holy tenets of the Orthodox Faith?
Have I asked God to strengthen my faith?
Have I despaired of God’s mercy or help?
Have I prayed to God every day, morning and evening?
Have I prayed with zeal?
Have I always attended Divine Services whenever possible?
Have I missed any of them without good reason?
Have I tried to serve God and keep His commandments?
Have I preferred religious books over others? Have I, in fact, read them?
Have I read atheistic or heretical books out of sinful curiosity?
Have I attended the meetings of heretics and schismatics?
Have I willingly contributed to charitable causes and to the Church? Have I given a sacrificial portion of my resources?
Have I neglected my duties to God through fear of ridicule or persecution?
Have I denied that I am a Christian?
Have I denied any teaching of the Orthodox Faith?
Have I given way to superstition?
Have I consulted astrologers, fortune-tellers or spiritualists?
Have I put myself before God?
Have I forgotten or neglected the most important thing in life, that is, preparing for eternity?
How will I answer God if I have given myself up to vanity, sloth, pleasure and carelessness?
Second Commandment
Thou shall not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them ... (Deuteronomy 5:8,9a).
Have I made an idol of any person or thing?
Have I given to any one or to any thing the worship that is due to God alone?
Have I put God first? Or have I given first place to: accumulation of money, acquisition of property, amusement or entertainment, food and drink, clothes, self-adornment, attention to myself, eliciting praise, drinking alcohol, taking drugs, spending time in distractions, obsession with myself or with other persons or things?
Have I been distracted from God by a passion for watching television or movies, attending the theater or playing games of one sort or another?
Have I been so anxious about myself, my family or my friends that I have neglected God, failed to serve Him and not carried out what is required of me by the Church?
Have I given too much attention to my home and its furnishings, its decoration and repair?
Have I paid too much attention to a car, truck, van, boat or other vehicle of travel?
Have I been irreverent during Divine Services, let my attention wander or been insincere?
Have I neglected to receive Holy Communion regularly?
Have I received the Divine Gifts without due preparation?
Have I made an idol of myself?
Have I made an idol of some passion? love of money? gluttony? sexual obsession? anger?
Have I allowed a passion to take possession of my heart?
Have I read the Holy Scriptures regularly?
Have I read books that would be spiritually nourishing?
Have I set before myself the holy life of Jesus my Savior and tried to imitate Him?
Have I called on Him to help me?
Have I read the lives of the Saints and tried to imitate their virtues, especially those of my Patron Saint?
Have I asked for their prayers and their strength?
Third Commandment
Thou shaft not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain (Deuteronomy 5:11).
Have I profaned the name of God in any way?
Have I been thoughtless or irreverent with the name of God?
Have I used the name of God in a curse?
Have I treated something holy as a joke, or joked about holy things?
Have I grumbled toward God or even renounced Him at any time?
Have I shown due respect to the clergy and the faithful or hindered them in their work?
Have I shown respect for all other people?
Have I prayed absent-mindedly or inattentively?
Have I cursed anyone or anything?
Have I sworn a false oath?
Have I broken an oath or a promise?
Have I entered into any sinful or unlawful contract or made such a promise?
Have I given in to despondency?
Fourth Commandment
Keep the Sabbath day to sanctify it, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee (Deuteronomy 5:12).
Have I failed to attend Divine Services on the Lord’s Day or on a Great Feast Day without just cause?
Have I kept others from attending Divine Services?
Have I done unnecessary work on Sundays or on Great Feast Days?
Have I violated the sanctity of the Lord’s Day
or Great Feasts by unwholesome or frivolous activities?
Have I distracted others from keeping these days in a godly way?
Did I pray at home if I was unable to attend Divine Services on the Lord’s Day or a Great Feast Day?
Did I make every effort to worship "in spirit and in truth" while I was at a Divine Service?
Did I allow myself to be distracted by worldly concerns at a Divine Service? to judge others? to think of unwholesome or frivolous things?
Did I make the effort to come to Divine Services on time?
Have I diligently kept the fasts of the Church?
Have I caused anyone else to violate the fasts or tempted anyone to do so?
Have I fasted properly in my heart, realizing a hunger for God and life in Him, rather than legalistically, just to fulfil the letter?
Fifth Commandment
Honor thy father and thy mother, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee (Deuteronomy 5:16).
Have I been disrespectful to my parents or inattentive to their advice and concern for me?
Have I been lacking in love for them?
Have I withheld love from them?
Have I disobeyed them?
Have I neglected them or failed to help them?
Have I cared for my parents in their illnesses or old age?
Have I deceived my parents or caused them pain by my words or actions?
Have I prayed for my parents and other relatives?
Have I prayed for the repose of my parents and other relatives who are departed?
Have I done my duty toward my family?
Husbands: Have I sacrificed my life for my wife?
Wives: Have I been obedient to my husband?
Have I encouraged peace and mutual respect among the members of my family?
Have I been responsible toward my spouse, children and others who depend on me for help, counsel, guidance or support?
Have I been wanting in love for my spouse or harmed her/him in any way?
Have I set a good example for my children?
Have I tried to rear my children in godliness?
Have I disciplined them with patience? or in anger?
Have I been overindulgent with my children?
Have I been stingy with any members of my family or with others?
Have I neglected my godparents or failed to honor them?
Have I neglected my godchildren or failed to instruct, guide or encourage them in the Orthodox Faith?
Have I worked for my employer honestly and diligently?
Have I treated fairly and respectfully all who worked with me or who are under my supervision?
Have I respected and prayed for the civil authorities?
Have I honored those who are older than I?
Have I shown respect for all others?
Have I mocked anyone or made fun of him?
Have I respected the clergy of the Church and prayed for them?
Have I criticized them or mocked them?
Have I been embittered against them, especially when they chastised or corrected me?
Have I honored God as my Father, the Church as my Mother, and other human beings as my fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters?
Sixth Commandment
Thou shalt not kill (Deuteronomy 5:17).
Have I killed another person, or have I contributed to the death of another person?
Have I had an abortion or given support or encouragement to someone else to have one?
Have I wanted another person to die?
Have I wanted any type of harm to come to another person or group of people?
Have I tried to kill myself or thought seriously about doing it?
Have I caused injury to another person?
Have I caused injury to myself through smoking, overindulgence, drinking too much alcohol, taking drugs or too much medicine or through evil and intemperate living?
Have I given way to anger?
Have I cursed anyone or hurt anyone with unduly harsh words?
Have I been cruel to anyone?
Have I ignored someone who needed help or failed to defend someone who was being treated unjustly or cruelly?
Have I failed to respond to those who are in need: to the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the imprisoned, the homeless, the ill, the troubled, the afflicted, the depressed or those with other needs that I could help?
Have I harmed someone spiritually by leading him into temptation to commit spiritual death through heresy, schism or by some other sin?
Have I shown malice or hatred toward another person?
Do I bear any malice or resentment or hatred in my heart toward anyone else?
Have I failed to forgive anyone or harbored evil thoughts against anyone?
Have I mistreated animals or destroyed or harmed any living creature unnecessarily?
Seventh Commandment
Neither shalt thou commit adultery (Deuteronomy 5:18).
Have I committed the sins of adultery or fornication?
Have I committed the sin of masturbation?
Have I had any sexual experiences outside of marriage?
Have I done anything impure alone or with any other person(s)?
Have I engaged in bestiality, transvestitism, sodomy or any other abnormal sexual practice?
Have I degraded myself or another person in any way?
Have I forgotten or ignored human dignity?
Have I been immodest?
Have I lived in an improper way with anyone else?
Have I read or looked at immoral, suggestive or pornographic books, magazines, pictures, websites, movies, tapes, dances, plays or performances?
Have I entertained impure thoughts or fantasies? Have I been unfaithful to my spouse through impure thoughts or fantasies?
Have I looked at any person or thing in an impure way?
Have I spoken or listened to impure or suggestive language, dirty jokes or lewd songs?
Have I eaten or drunk too much? Have I tempted others to do so?
Have I associated with bad companions?
Have I been a to unsavory place?
Have I been lazy, idle or wasteful of time?
Have I tempted others or led them to commit sinful acts or to entertain sinful thoughts?
Have I tempted others through my own immodesty or through suggestive language or actions?
Have I been unfaithful to any trust?
Have I betrayed the confidence of anyone else?
Have I judged any other person?
Eighth Commandment
Neither shall thou steal (Deuteronomy 5:19).
Have I stolen anything or wished to do so?
Have I stolen by fraud, deception or conspiracy?
Have I kept anything that did not belong to me?
Have I stolen by not rendering a service for which I was compensated?
Have I tried honestly to find the owner of lost articles I found, when it was reasonable to do so?
Have I cheated or defrauded anyone?
Have I accepted or purchased stolen goods?
Have I disposed improperly of the goods of another?
Have I paid my debts in a timely way?
Have I lived within my means?
Have I lived extravagantly or wastefully?
Have I been selfish with what is entrusted to me?
Have I been miserly in soul?
Have I shared with others?
Have I been stingy?
Have I given to those in need?
Have I given a sacrificial proportion of my goods to the Church for God’s service?
Have I been honest and upright in my dealings with others?
Ninth Commandment
Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbor (Deuteronomy 5:20)
Have I slandered anyone?
Have I lied?
Have I added to or taken away from the truth?
Have I made careless statements or spoken evil of anyone? Have I betrayed the confidence of another person?
Have I criticized others?
Have I rejoiced in the failings or downfall of others?
Have I covered my brother’s shame as Shein and Japheth covered their father Noah’s?
Have I spread gossip or scandal?
Have I hurt the reputation of anyone else?
Have I concealed the truth or assisted in carrying out a lie? Have I confessed to sins I have not committed?
Have I confessed all the sins I have committed?
Have I failed to come forward to defend another person when I knew lie was being slandered or spoken against unjustly?
Have I tried to see the good in others?
Have I concentrated on the shortcomings of others?
Have I engaged in idle chatter?
Have I spoken unnecessarily?
Have I laughed or acted frivolously?
Have I made a real effort to be truthful at all times?
Tenth Commandment
Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbors wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbors house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbor’s (Deuteronomy 5:2 1).
Have I envied others? either their lives or their goods?
Have I desired anything that was another’s?
Have I damaged or destroyed the possessions or property of others?
Have I desired things God has not given me?
Have I been discontent with my life?
Have I held back anything due to another because I wanted it myself or for any other reason?
Have I hoped for the downfall of another so that I might gain by it?
Have I failed to be gracious and generous to anyone?
Have I wanted from God what I refused to give to a fellow man: forgiveness? goods? grace? physical or spiritual blessings?
Have I been greedy?
Have I been jealous of another person’s goods, money, appearance, success, love, popularity, being loved by another or others?
Have I concentrated my time, efforts and thoughts on the things of the world rather than on the things of the spirit?
The Holy Mystery of Repentance
Priest: Blessed is our God always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Penitent: Amen.
Priest: In peace let us pray to the Lord.
Penitent: Lord, have mercy. (Repeated after each petition)
Priest: For the peace from above and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
For the servant of God ___________, the remission of his/her sins and the forgiveness of all his/her sins both voluntary and involuntary, let us pray to the Lord.
That the Lord, God will grant to him/her remission of sins and time for repentance, let us pray to the Lord.
That he/she and we may be delivered from all distress, anger, danger and want, let us pray to the Lord.
Help us, save us, have mercy on us and keep us, 0 God, by your grace.
Remembering our most holy, pure, blessed, glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ, our God.
Penitent: To you, 0 Lord.
Priest: For to you belong all glory, honor and worship, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Penitent: Amen.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3 times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, look upon and heal our infirmities, for Thy name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (3 times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in the heavens, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Priest: For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages,
Penitent: Amen
Lord, have mercy. (12 times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Come, let us worship God our King.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and our God.
Psalm 50
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy, and according to the multitude of Thy compassions, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know mine iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee only have I sinned and done evil before Thee, that Thou mightest be justified in thy words and prevail when Thou art judged. For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear me. For behold, Thou hast loved truth, the hidden and secret things of Thy wisdom hast Thou revealed unto me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed; thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me hear joy and gladness; the bones that have been humbled shall rejoice. Turn away Thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit in mine in most parts. Cast me not away from Thy face, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and establish me with a guiding spirit. I shall teach transgressors Thy ways, and the ungodly shall return unto Thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, my tongue shall rejoice in Thy righteousness. O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would have given it, with burnt-offerings Thou wilt not be pleased. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; a broken and humbled heart God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Thy good will unto Sion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then shalt Thou be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and burnt-offerings, then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, for devoid of all defense, we sinners offer unto Thee as Master this prayer, have mercy on us,
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Lord, have mercy on us, for in Thee have we hoped; be not very wroth with us, neither remember our transgressions, but look down now upon us, since Thou art tenderhearted, and deliver us from our enemies, for Thou art our God, and we are Thy people, we are all the works of Thy hands, and we call upon Thy name.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Open unto us the door of Thy tenderheartedness, Blessed Theotokos; in that we have hoped in thee, may we not perish, but through thee be delivered from adversities, for thou art the salvation of the generation of Christians.
Penitent: Lord, have mercy. (40 times)
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.
Penitent: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: Bow thy head.
Penitent: bows his/her head
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord,
Penitent: Lord, have mercy
Prayer of Forgiveness Over Those Who Have Confessed by St. John Chrysostom
Lord Jesus Christ, our God, through Nathan the Prophet you forgave David, the ancestor of the Lord God, the offenses which he had committed, saying to him: "The Lord has taken away your sin, because you said, 'I sinned before the Lord';" you felt compassion for Peter when he wept bitterly for his denial and confessed it, and you accepted his tears; you also accepted the harlot who wept fervently and shed tears on your most pure feet and dried them with her hair, and you said to her: "Woman, your sins are forgiven you"; you restored Manasseh as king of Zion after he repented in Babylon and confessed to you about the bronze idol; you received with joy the returning Prodigal after he had wasted all his wealth with harlots and had been forced to eat the same food as the pigs, and you slaughtered the fatted calf for him, kissing him and placing a ring on his finger; you accepted the repentance and the humility of the Publican rather than the prayer of the boastful Pharisee, and justified him by your word; you accepted even the repentance of the thief on the Cross; you said: "Confess your sins to one another". In this way, after calling us, you remain faithful and just, and you forgive us everything and cleanse us from every pollution of flesh and spirit. Do you, 0 Lord, all-good and most merciful, forgive everything that my spiritual child _________ has confessed to my humble person before you with a contrite heart, both in the present age and in the age to come; and make him/her worthy to stand uncondemned before you; for you are blessed unto the ages.
Amen.
Priest: May God Who pardoned David through Nathan the prophet when he confessed his sins, Peter who wept bitterly for his denial, the harlot weeping at His feet, the publican and the prodigal, forgive thee all things, through me a sinner, both in this world and in the world to come, and set thee uncondenined before His terrible Judgment Seat.
May Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-immaculate Mother and of all the Saints, have mercy on us and save us, for He is good and the Lover of man. Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and save us.
Amen