A Brief Instruction on Confession and the Repentance of Sins.
Chapter 9 of Antipin’s Potrebnik.
In the present time, due to the lack of pious priests, some people think: “Why not confess one’s sins even to simple elders? As if without this the sins could in no way be absolved?”
But such notions are very incorrect. For although it is possible to confess sins to elders, this should only be to those who are very wise, greatly knowledgeable, and who live in a holy and virtuous manner. Yet there are very few such people! And even these may well not agree to undertake this matter. Moreover, even good elders cannot absolve sins. They are only like physicians: they can only advise a useful remedy for the soul’s diseases. But to forgive sins is something that only God himself can ever do!
We also know this: among some Old Believers there are simple spiritual fathers, but they are very unskilled and blind in spiritual knowledge. Such spiritual fathers, instead of bringing benefit, will only cause great harm! “A blind man leads a blind man, and both will fall into the pit” (Matthew, reading 61).
Even to a pious priest, if he is not skilled, one should not confess; all the more, therefore, must one beware of simple elders. (Zlatoust, leaf 149).
Just as it is in no way possible to receive absolution of sins from ungodly priests—Nikonian, Edinoverie, Austrian, or Beglopopovtsy—because all of them are of one root of heretical blessing! “And no heretics have the Holy Spirit; in them there is only the satanic spirit, and therefore they cannot absolve anyone” (Prosvetitel, leaf 469).
But even if simple elders who serve as spiritual fathers are pious, the power to absolve sins has not been given to them; therefore they cannot absolve.
For this reason, it is best of all in repentance, with the confession of sins, to turn directly to God. Even if you do not express all the sins, he knows everything! Only remember in general all your sins always in your mind and ask mercy from God with a contrite heart. And the Lord will grant full absolution of sins without any spiritual fathers.
This is according to the Gospel promise: “Come to me, all of you,” and “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out,” and “That ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins” (Matthew 43rd, 29th readings, and from John 21), and by the example of the publican and the prodigal son (Luke, readings 79, 89).
