If I switch fathers of confession, should I tell the new one about past struggles?

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10

In the Coptic Orthodox tradition, the relationship between a person and their Father of Confession is a spiritual clinical relationship. When you transition to a new father of confession—whether due to relocation, the repose of a previous father, or a specific spiritual need—it is essential to provide him with a comprehensive "spiritual history."

Here is how you should approach this:

1. The Purpose of Full Disclosure

Confession is the Sacrament of Repentance and Forgiveness, but it is also a means of spiritual healing. Just as a doctor cannot treat a patient effectively without knowing their medical history, a spiritual father cannot guide a soul without understanding its past struggles, patterns, and wounds. You should tell the new father about previous struggles not because you are seeking modern "absolution" for sins already confessed and forgiven, but to provide context for your current spiritual state.

2. Distinguishing Between Forgiveness and Healing

In the Coptic Orthodox faith, once a sin is confessed and the prayer of absolution is pronounced, that sin is washed away by the Blood of Christ. However, the consequences of those sins—such as habits, passions, or spiritual weaknesses—often remain. You should tell your new father:

• What your primary struggles have been: This helps him identify your "weak points."
• Recurring patterns: If a particular sin was a struggle for years, it is relevant to your ongoing spiritual warfare.
• The canons you were given: It is helpful to mention what past spiritual exercises (prostrations, readings, fasts) helped you or where you struggled to be obedient.

3. Being Straightforward and Truthful

You should be very straightforward and honest. Do not hide the gravity of past heretical thoughts, interactions with non-Orthodox groups (such as Protestantism), or moral failures. The truth is the foundation of the spiritual life. By presenting the truth of your past, you allow the Holy Spirit to work through the priest to provide the correct "medicine" for your soul.

4. Avoiding "Priest Shopping"

One must be careful that switching fathers is not an attempt to find someone "easier" or less demanding. If you are switching because you want to avoid a strict canon or hide a specific struggle, you are only harming your own salvation. When you meet the new father, you should be transparent about why you left your previous father and what your spiritual goals are.

5. Practical Advice for the First Session

In your first sitting with a new father of confession, it is common to:

• Give a brief biography of your life in the Church.
• Mention if you have been involved with any heretical teachings or groups in the past, as this affects your current understanding of the faith.
• Summarize your major struggles from the past, even those you have already confessed, so he understands the "warfare" you have faced.

Remember that the priest is a witness to your repentance before the High Priest, Jesus Christ. Complete transparency ensures that you receive the best possible guidance on your path toward the Kingdom of Heaven.