QA #8 - When should I have Confession?

It is tradition in the Russian Orthodox Church to have confession prior to Communion. All Orthodox Christians are welcome to have Communion at the Cathedral provided they have confession the night before receiving Communion. Confession can be heard by the Cathedral clergy or with your own parish priest/spiritual father. It is only acceptable to ask the Cathedral clergy for confession during the Liturgy if you are extremely frail, ill or disabled.

This is the general rule in our parish and we should strive not to treat confession superficially as “a ticket for Communion”, by coming late to the liturgy and expecting a two minute confession just before communion to suffice. However, we do have a constant influx of new churchgoers who need to be gradually taught about many things that constitute the life of the Church.Pastors do not wish to turn these people away with immediate application of strict rules. Gradually, though, as our new parishioners become regular in attendance they should realise that such condescension becomes counter productive.

A person coming for confession in the evening has the opportunity to spend quality time with a confessor that is just not available before the liturgy in the morning and especially just before Communion. There are situations, though, when those people who are very frequent communicants may be allowed to have an in-depth confession as needed and otherwise receive a prayer of absolution after a short confession or even just a blessing to receive Holy Communion. This applies especially to children and the elderly.