03/10/2026
WHAT TO SAY IN CONFESSION IF NOTHING TO SAY?
Often people don't know what to say at confession, especially if they take communion weekly. Elder Philoteus (Zervacos) compiled a list of sins that are useful to learn before going to confession:
I fail to love the Lord with all my soul.
I am sometimes ungrateful to the Lord.
I'm being suspicious of the lord.
I complain about my life and the Lord.
I pray without hesitation, awe, and heartache.
I do not experience the fear of God during worship services.
I'm standing in the temple at worship without blasphemy and attention.
During worship, I notice myself having impure thoughts. And I don't push them away.
When I confess, I am not fully aware that I am not just standing before a priest, but standing before the Lord Himself and confessing my sins to Him.
When I sin, I justify myself.
I seek to silence my sins.
I don't fight my sins enough.
I am taking communion without proper preparation.
I love not my neighbor as myself.
I don't have heartfelt love for my spiritual father.
I find it difficult to be patient, humble, gentle, restrained.
I like to eat a lot and indulge.
I can wish bad things on people.
I have bad, unclean, bad, proud thoughts. And not fighting them.
I am jealous, envious, angry.
I am malicious, I do not forgive insults and I wish to take revenge on the offenders.
I'm lazy to read the scriptures.
I'm lazy to go to Sunday services.
I'm lazy in doing my daily duties.
I use to be superstitious .
I experience spiritual delusion: I indulge in occultism, lessons, magic, mysticism, etc.
I have no constant pursuit of doing the will of God.
I can be ruthless to people.
I am cowardly to help a fellow man.
I rarely give in to despair and disappointment.
Try not to avoid the temptation of the flesh.
I am indifferent to my responsibilities, to people.
I am too passionate about hoarding things, objects, clothes, wealth.
I'm wasting my time.
I am indifferent to my parents, children, co workers..
I think of myself that I'm better than others.
