Confession is a central aspect of many spiritual traditions, and it plays an especially vital role in the Christian faith. The act of confessing one’s sins and seeking forgiveness from God is essential not only for the purification of the heart but also for deepening one’s relationship with the divine.
And the Philokalia, a collection of Eastern Orthodox writings on spiritual practice, offers profound insights into this practice. In this article, we will explore the teachings of the Philokalia on confession, including what it involves, why it is essential, and how to make a sincere confession before God. We will also examine the importance of having a spiritual guide or father to help us in the practice of confession.
According to the Philokalia, confession is a process of acknowledging and confessing one’s sins before God with the purpose of seeking forgiveness. The texts emphasize that this act is essential for the purification of the heart and the deepening of one’s relationship with God. As one text puts it: “When a man confesses his sins before God, he is cleansed of his impurities and finds favor with the Lord” (St. Mark the Ascetic).
The Philokalia stresses that making a sincere confession requires acknowledging all sins and being truly contrite. This means not only confessing the sins that are easy to admit but also the more challenging ones. In the words of St. John Climacus, “A real confession is one that humbles the soul.” The texts also emphasize the need to resolve to amend one’s ways after making a confession.
Moreover, the Philokalia highlights the importance of having a spiritual guide or father who can offer guidance and direction in the practice of confession. This is crucial since confessing one’s sins can be a challenging and vulnerable process. As St. Seraphim of Sarov puts it, “Without a spiritual guide, we may be deceived and accept sins as virtues and virtues as sins.”
A spiritual guide can help us to identify the root causes of our sins, offer advice on how to avoid them in the future, and provide support as we strive to lead a more virtuous life. The texts also offer guidance on how to make a sincere confession.
For example, St. Isaac the Syrian advises those seeking to confess their sins to “confess them simply, without excuses, and without ambiguous language.” He also suggests that the person confessing his sins should be specific about the circumstances surrounding the sin and should express genuine remorse for committing it. This way, the confession becomes an act of humility and honesty before God.
In addition, the Philokalia teaches that confession is not a one-time event but a continual process. As we grow in holiness, new sins and imperfections will arise that we need to confess before God. As St. Symeon the New Theologian says, “Confession is an effort that lasts until death.”
In conclusion, the Philokalia offers profound insights into the practice of confession, emphasizing its importance as a means of purifying the heart and deepening one’s relationship with God. The texts offer guidance on how to make a sincere confession, including the need to confess all sins, to be truly contrite, and to resolve to amend one’s ways.
The Philokalia also emphasizes the importance of having a spiritual guide or father who can offer guidance and direction in the practice of confession. As we strive to live a more virtuous life, the continual process of confession can help us to grow in holiness and draw us closer to God
