The need for repentance is completely natural for a believer and a church person. Those who go to the temple very rarely and draw their ideas about religious life from rumors and news portals, most often believe that the sacraments are an empty formality and a non-binding ritual.
The well-known satirist, obviously wanting to be known as a progressive and once again demonstrate his own wit, agreed to the point that "he does not need mediators between himself and God." So, he is ready to chat with him directly, as with a friend, without any church “blasphemers”.
The explanation for the reluctance to confess, as a rule, is sought not in one's own spiritual laziness, but in the absence of time and worthy violations of religious and ethical standards in their scope . “I do not sin!” - such a statement in itself testifies to the pride that comes first in the list of mortal sins, since it is it that pushes a person to everyone else.
In addition, many do not know how to confess correctly, what to say and how to prepare for this sacrament, and instead of learning about it, they are embarrassed to admit their ignorance, often even in adulthood. And only after experiencing real grief, some of us rush to the temple. As it turns out, there are more than enough sins, and there is something to tell the priest about.
But it’s not difficult to find out how to confess properly. What can I say, the decision is serious, and at first causes shyness. It is difficult to admit that you are wrong before relatives or subordinates in the service whom you offended. In our “civilized society”, the opinion is cultivated that, apologizing to those whom a person considers below himself, he drops his authority and loses all respect. In fact, this is not so, but quite the opposite; it’s very difficult to simply defeat your own pride.
But, in addition to moral barriers, there are also “technical” ones. Preparation for the rite includes a three-day fast, besides, you need to come to the service early in the morning, and before that, find out in the church the days when the sacrament is held. To find out how to confess correctly, what to say and how to act, you can contact acquaintances and friends, they will advise. But, in general, there are no special rules. Arriving at the service, you need to defend it in fervent prayer and stand in the general queue. You should not rush. In churches, there are frequent cases when a priest refuses to confess the quarrels because of the queue.
It will be very useful for a parishioner if he first compiles a list of his own sins and even scribbles it on paper, referring to the Commandments and the list of mortal sins. No need to dissemble, you can deceive not only the priest (he is a living person), but even himself, only God cannot be misled. In the process of waiting, you can look at the example of others how to confess correctly. What to say, you need to decide on your own, but the main thing is that the speech be sincere, and it contains remorse. It is absolutely unacceptable to boast of your “retirement” and justify your own actions by the fact that someone “first started”. Of course, there is a secret of confession, and you don’t have to worry that the information about the sins will become known to someone. The consequences of their own sins should not be blamed on the priest, especially since the people around them are not always blind and can learn about the bad act from their sources.
After confession, penance may be imposed in the form of prayers or additional fasting, but it is not customary to give out indulgences in the Orthodox Church, so repentance must be accompanied by a refusal to continue further indecent behavior, otherwise any absolution ceases to work. Confession is a conversation with God for the purpose of reconciliation, and the mood should be appropriate, like everyone who asks for forgiveness. God bless you!