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Ukrainian Orthodoxy |
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Orthodoxie ukrainienne |
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Foregiveness of Sins
Question:
I would appreciate some clarity on the authority and status of an Orthodox Priest. I am particularly interested in clarification as to whether at point of Absolution during Confession is the the priest assuming or using powers given by Christ to him to forgive us or is our Orthodox priest merely acting an advocate/ witness. By which he invokes the Holy Spirit to redeem us of our sins?
My understanding is that Roman Catholic priests actually believe they have been handed by power (St.Matthew ) by Christ to take on this incredibly important role themselves . Furthermore I believe in the Protestant Church the Minister merely acts as an intermediary and gives absolution en masse, as they believe that we always have a direct link with Christ.
Response:
Fr. Ihor Kutash - о. Ігор Куташ kutash@unicorne.org
It is always Christ Who forgives sins, since all sins are always sins against God. Alas, we all sin because we are still in the process and have not yet surmounted the power of death working in us - but we are on the way to this victory, and it has already been done in Christ, Who conquered death by His death. Christ shares and manifests His Priesthood with and through His human children, as the One Priest and Mediator between God and humans (I Timothy 2:5).
Although He conveys the Royal Priesthood on all of His People (1 Peter 2:5), some are also chosen (as were the Apostles) to share in His Sacramental Priesthood. These hear Confessions (although we may also all confess to one another - James 5:16), give counsel and disciplines, and pronounce the Prayer of Absolution. All this is always through Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
At the same time Sacramental Priests are also participants and not only instruments in this action which cleanses, purifies and heals the penitent. This is not because they are more perfect or holy than the one confessing - as a matter of fact every Priest and Bishop also confesses and receives absolution to, through and from other Priests and Bishops. The prayer most commonly used by Priests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has in it the words "I, an unworthy priest, by His authority given to me....".
It may be that the Roman Catholic perspective on the role of the Priest stresses his part in this process somewhat more than is the case in Orthodox Christianity. As for our Protestant brothers and sisters, I believe it is most unlikely that any of their ministers would literally be seeing themselves as intermediaries or giving absolution. At best they would simply be assuring those who repent of God's forgiveness through Christ. And in some of their assemblies, if this is part of that particular Service, this assurance would indeed be proclaimed, as you say, en masse.
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