Confession

The Sacrament of Penance is the formal act of reconciliation with God and the Church when sin has severed that bond.

Renewal of Baptism: Because it restores the state of grace given at initiation, the Church Fathers often refer to it as "a second baptism" or a "renewal of baptism."
Reconciliation: It is the necessary path back to Holy Communion for those who have committed grave sins or have been separated from the Church for a long time. While not every minor sin requires formal sacramental penance, regular confession is encouraged for humility and spiritual guidance.

A common question is: "Can't I just confess to God?"

There is no "Private" Sin: Citing St. Paul (1 Cor. 12:26), the Orthodox teaching is that because Christians are members of one Body, there is no such thing as a "private sin." Even secret sins affect the spiritual health of the entire Church.
Corporate Healing: Since sin wounds the body of the Church, healing must involve reconciliation with the Church. The priest stands not as a judge, but as a witness and representative of the community to facilitate this reunion.

The ritual takes place in a quiet part of the church, avoiding the "confessional booth" style found in other traditions.

The Setting: The priest and penitent stand before an icon of Christ, usually with a Cross and Gospel book present.
The Confession: After introductory prayers, the penitent confesses their sins. The priest may offer advice or ask questions, but his primary role is to listen. He explicitly states: "You are not telling these things to me, but to God before whom you stand."
The Absolution: The service concludes with the priest reading the prayer of absolution, formally bestowing God's forgiveness and telling the penitent to "go in peace."

Sometimes, a priest may assign a "penance" (epitimia) after the confession.

Examples: This could be a period of abstinence from Holy Communion, a specific rule of prayer, or a task to make amends (e.g., returning stolen goods).
Therapeutic Nature: These tasks are not punishments, nor are they a way to "pay back" a debt to God, since forgiveness is a free gift of grace. Instead, they are therapeutic tools—medicine prescribed to help the penitent heal and strengthen their walk with God.