The Sacrament of Confession

If we can make confession to God without the priest, then why do we have confession with a priest present?

What is a mortal sin? What are the categories of sins in the Orthodox church?

I am confused because I have a list of the seven grievous sins in the Orthodox Church:

Pride
Covetousness/Greed
Lust
Anger
Gluttony
Envy
Sloth...

I have a terrible time with going to confession due to an incident that happened a long time ago. It has totally stopped my partaking communion because I won’t go to confession. I would go to general confession, but not...

Recently I have been seeing the word ‘Reconciliation’ used in place of the word ‘Confession.’

Is the Orthodox Church in America changing its terminology?

There seems to be a dispute between various priests regarding the use of general confession in the local parishes. Some acknowledge its use and some do not. In my time at St. Vladimir’s Seminary, it was used on a frequent...

If I choose a Father confessor other than my local Priest, am I required to provide written proof that I have performed an act of penitance and received absolution to my local priest.

Can he refuse me communion?

If he will...

I have been having a discussion concerning what should be a basic question; however the answer eludes us. One position, following the Wesleyan tradition, says that sin is a “willful transgression of the known will of God”,...