What do repentance and confession do?

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

In the Coptic Orthodox Tradition, Repentance and Confession are not merely religious duties; they constitute a life-giving Sacrament often referred to as a "Second Baptism" or the "Return of the Prodigal Son."

Here is what Repentance and Confession do for the believer:

1. Spiritual Healing and Cleansing

We view the Church as a hospital and the priest as a physician. Sin is seen as a disease that wounds the soul. Confession is the act of exposing these wounds to the ultimate Physician, Jesus Christ, through the priest. As the priest prays the Absolution, the Holy Spirit washes the soul, restoring it to the purity it received at Baptism.

2. Reconciliation with God and the Church

Sin acts as a wall that separates us from God and fellow believers. In the Coptic Liturgy, we emphasize the unity of the "One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church." Repentance removes this barrier, reconciling the individual with God and the body of the faithful, allowing for a worthy participation in the Holy Eucharist.

3. Destruction of the Devil’s Power

The Desert Fathers teach that the devil thrives in secrecy. When a sin is hidden in the dark corners of the heart, it retains its power over the person. By bringing the sin into the light through verbal confession, the "prince of this world" is shamed and loses his hold on the believer. As St. Anthony the Great taught, humility—which is required for confession—is the only thing the devil cannot imitate and cannot withstand.

4. Objective Guidance (Discipleship)

The priest, acting as a spiritual father, provides objective guidance tailored to the believer’s specific struggles. This prevents the "self-deception" that often occurs when one tries to repent in isolation. The spiritual father provides "canons" (spiritual exercises), not as punishment, but as medicine to strengthen the soul's immunity against future falls.

5. Peace of Conscience

One of the most immediate effects of a sincere confession is the psychological and spiritual relief of being unburdened. The words of the Absolution—"May God absolve you"—provide the believer with the assurance of God’s mercy, replacing guilt and anxiety with the peace of the Holy Spirit.

6. Preparation for the Eucharist

According to the Coptic rites, no one should approach the Holy Mysteries (the Body and Blood of Christ) without being prepared through repentance. As noted by HG Bishop Mettaous, the priest washes his hands and warns the congregation to be prepared; confession ensures that we do not receive the Mysteries "undeservedly," which would be to our judgment rather than our salvation.

Summary of the Process

• Metanoia:** A change of mind and heart; turning away from the world and toward God.
• Confession: The external expression of that internal change before a witness (the priest).
• Absolution: The sacramental act where God, through the priest, forgives the sin and restores the soul.

By this sacrament, we are perfected in Christ, moving from the image of the "old man" to the "new man" created in righteousness.

Sponsored by His Grace Bishop Kyrillos, Auxiliary Bishop in the Diocese of Los Angeles.