WHAT ARE EPITEMIA IN THE ORTHODOX CHURCH?

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only Lord, God and Savior,

CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

WHAT ARE EPITEMIA IN THE ORTHODOX CHURCH?

Throughout the ecclesiastical year, but especially during the holy seasons such as Holy and Great Lent Orthodox Christians intensify their preparation for the celebration of the All-Holy Pascha by participating in the Mysteria or Sacraments of the Church such as Confession/Repentance, and receiving the Holy Eucharist more frequently. In addition to the Sacraments the Orthodox Christian prepares spiritually through prayer, fasting, agathoergia or good works.

It is essential for the faithful to approach the Holy Mysteries/Sacraments with a full understanding, humility, sincerity, and a deep sense of unworthiness. It is understood by all believers that the Church is a hospital and a place of healing. All that enter are children of God who are wounded and seek the Physician of our souls and bodies and Great Healer, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He never turns anyone away and He rejoices when we seek His forgiveness through which we are restored back to health.

In the Mysterion (Sacrament) of Confession and Repentance the faithful are in the presence of Lord God Who is the One Who embraces with His Divine agape and mercy and ultimately forgives us and absolves our sins (Gr. amartias). Our father confessor/parish priest serves as our spiritual father and guide. The priest treats those confessing with tender love and care knowing how difficult it is for his spiritual children to reveal and acknowledge openly their transgressions and innermost secrets of their heart. The priest is not there to be a judge or hold court but to be sensitive, compassionate, understanding, and lovingly to offer support, and encouragement, fatherly advice, and to intercede for his spiritual children to our Savior. Every Orthodox priest knows that he is held responsible before God for the spiritual welfare of all of his flock.

A very delicate but important aspect of the Mysterion of Confession/Repentance is for the confessor to have the proper phronema and discernment and carefully administer penance/epitemia to those who need greater care and help to overcome serious sins. It is very much like the ICU in a hospital setting where a very seriously ill person whose life is at risk and needs immediate attention is admitted to undergo a more aggressive and total care to save his/her life. Therefore will explain to the penitent that penance/epitemia is not a punitive fine or punishment, but a therapeutic spiritual remedy aimed at healing the soul’s sickness and reorienting the believer away from sin and toward God. Imposed by the father confessor, it aims to ure the ‘habit’ of sin through actions like increased prayer, fasting, or philanthropy, It is given to those who are addicted to sin and to protect them from committing even a greater sin such as receiving Holy Communion unclean.

PRAYERS IN PREPARATION FOR HOLY COMMUNION

How dare I partake of Thy Holiness in my unworthiness? Even if I dare to approach Thee
with the worthy, my garment accuses me, for it is not a wedding garment, and I secure
the condemnation of my most sinful soul. Cleanse, O Lord, the defilement of my soul and
save me, for Thou lost mankind.

5th Prayer of Saint Basil the Great

I know, O Lord, that I have communion unworthily of Thy Most-Pure Body and Thy
Most-Precious Blood, and that I am guilty and drink condemnation to myself not
discerning Thy Body and Blood, O my Christ and God. But daring upon Thy
generous loving-kindness I come to Thee Who hast said: "He who eats My flesh
and drinks My Blood abides in Me and I in him." "Be merciful, therefore, O Lord, and
do not rebuke me, a sinner, but deal with me according to Thy mercy, and let Thy
Holy things be for me purification and healing, for enlightenment and protection, for
the repulsion of every tempting thought and action of the devil which works
spiritually in my fleshly members. Let them be for boldness and love for Thee, for
the correction and grounding of my life, for the increase of virtue and perfection, for
the fulfillment of Thy commandments, for the communion of the Holy Spirit, for the
journey of eternal life, for a good and acceptable answer at Thy dread judgment,
but not for judgment or condemnation. Amen.

7th Prayer of Saint John Chrysostom

O God, absolve, remit and pardon my transgressions–as many sins as I have
committed by word or action or thought, willingly or unwillingly, consciously or
unconsciously, forgive me everything since Thou art Good and lovest mankind.
And by the prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother, of Thy spiritual servants, the
holy Angelic powers and all the Saints, who from all ages have been well-pleasing
to Thee, be pleased to allow me to receive Thy Most Pure Body and Thy Most-Pure
Blood for the healing of my soul and body,a nd the purification of my evil thoughts.
For Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory with the Father and the
Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

______
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
+ Saint John Chrysostomos

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With sincere agape in His Divine and Glorious Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George