St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church of Northside Pittsburgh

True Repentance True repentance must culminate in the Sacrament of Confession Confession is a God-given commandment, and it is one of the Sacraments of our Chur...ch. Confession must never become a formal, habitual, and unprepared act, coming forth from a sense of duty or obligation. Nor can we allow our confession to be nothing beyond some sort of psychological relief. Our confession must be united to a sincere desire for true repentance. If our confession is nothing more than an act of relieving a sense of guilt, we will not have truly confessed. Repentance is that important moment when we reach deeply into our heart, and cultivate the process of contrition and sorrow for having distanced ourselves from God through sin. To be truly repentant has nothing to do with promoting a relentless sense of guilt, for that could lead to the inflating of our ego. This would not be sincere repentance, but a secret egotism based on shame alone. True repentance must be about making a complete about-face, demonstrating our sincere desire to turn our backs on sin, and focus on an inner communion with God. Our act of true repentance must make clear our desire to embrace all that is good in our life, and make our commitment to the things of this world, a thing of the past. Repentance means a change in our thoughts, and making a commitment to living a life of virtue, and benevolence. Repentance must prompt us to be re-joined to Christ through the Grace of the Holy Spirit. True repentance must begin in the depth of our heart, and culminate in the sacrament of Confession, wherein we sincerely and humbly bear all before the confessor, as though in the presence of Christ. Our repentance must be grounded in a true commitment to keeping our eyes on the things of God, and casting aside all that would detract from the ultimate goal, Eternal Life. With love in Christ, Abbot Tryphon

St. John of Kronstadt: Every day, hour, and minute, keep a strict watch and consider every thought, desire, and movement of the heart, every word and deed, and... do not let yourself be defiled by one sinful thought, desire, or movement of the imagination, in word or deed, knowing that the Lord is the Righteous Judge Who is judging you every instant and is evaluating the inner man. Continually keep yourself pure for God. See more

Thank you for your prayers these past 4+ months! Glory to God! My friend’s husband went home today! - Fr Dave

please listen to this podcast regarding Orthodox Christian burial practices and to prayerfully ask the Lord to open your heart to return to the sacred and holy traditions such as a wholesome burial that is part of our faith heritage.