I want to know about sin and confession, and how and what to confess in the Coptic Church.

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

In the Coptic Orthodox Church, the Sacrament of Penance and Confession is known as the "Sacrament of Return" or the "Second Baptism." It is the means by which a person is reconciled to God and the Church after falling into sin.

The Nature of Sin

In the Coptic perspective, sin is not merely a legal infraction, but a spiritual illness and a separation from Phnouti* - God, who is the source of life. Sin darkens the "image of God" within us. Because we are in a state of continuous spiritual warfare, we require constant healing.

The Role of the Father of Confession

To practice confession, a believer must have a "Father of Confession". As noted by Abba Gregorios and Bishop Mettaous, the priest acts as a steward of the Mysteries. He is likened to a spiritual physician who diagnoses the soul or a "bank teller" who must verify the spiritual state of the person before they approach the Holy Eucharist.

How to Prepare for Confession

1. Self-Examination: Before going to the priest, sit with yourself and the Holy Spirit to review your actions, thoughts, and feelings since your last confession.
2. Repentance (Metanoia): True confession must be preceded by a change of heart. It is not just reciting a list; it is a sincere desire to turn back to Christ.
3. Prayer: Ask God to give you the words and the humility to speak the truth without excuses.

What to Confess

When you sit before the priest, you are sitting in the presence of Christ. You should confess:

• Relationship with God: Neglect of prayer life, the Agpeya, participation in the Liturgy, or reading the Holy Scriptures. Lack of faith or feelings of despair.
• Relationship with Others: Hatred, anger, judging others, gossip (backbiting), lack of forgiveness, or causing offense.
• Relationship with Self: Thoughts of pride, lust, greed, laziness, or any habits that enslave the soul.
• Specific Actions: Any specific violations of the Commandments. Do not be vague (e.g., "I am a sinner"), but do not be overly graphic. State the sin clearly and honestly.

How to Confess (The Procedure)

1. Sit with the Priest: Usually, the priest will pray the "Prayer of the Beginning."
2. Speak Openly: Tell the priest your sins without making excuses or blaming others. The priest is bound by an absolute oath of secrecy; nothing said in confession can ever be repeated.
3. Listen to Counsel: The priest may offer spiritual exercises (called kanonia) or advice to help you overcome specific sins.
4. The Absolution: At the end, you will kneel, and the priest will place the cross (and often his hand or a stole) on your head and read the "Absolution of the Son." In this prayer, the priest asks God—the One who gave the authority to His Apostles to forgive sins—to forgive you. You leave the session with your sins washed away by the Blood of Jesus Christ.

Confession and Communion

As Bishop Mettaous explains, the Church is very strict about being spiritually prepared for the Holy Eucharist. It is an established rule in the Coptic Church that one must have a regular Father of Confession and a recent confession to be eligible to partake of the Body and Blood of the Lord. St. Paul warns that those who partake unworthily bring judgment upon themselves (1 Cor. 11:27), which is why the priest must inquire about a person's readiness.

By confessing regularly, we remain in a state of readiness to receive the "True Light" and maintain our union with God.