Preparation for Confession in the Orthodox Tradition

[TheLostCoin]

So, I'm not Orthodox yet, but when I am, I will - of course - go to Confession. However, two questions come to mind.

1. How do Orthodox prepare for Confession? Is there an equivalent to the Roman Catholic "examination of conscience"? Is there any fasting or prayer that's required?

2. I have a Western Rite Orthodox prayer book (Saint Gregory's Prayer Book) that I occasionally use for smaller prayers (not for my prayer rule, I use an Old Believer's Prayer Book for that, although I think that with the permission of my priest I'll switch over to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of America's prayer book), and one thing I noticed is that, in it's section "Preparation for Confession," there is an "Examination of Conscience" similar to that which Western Christians use, where the Book goes through each of the 10 Commandments and asks questions regarding each of the ways you could have sinned against the 10 Commandments. The question I have is - is this Orthodox? Is it a permissible way to ask God to enlighten my mind to see my sins when I prepare for Confession when I need to go to Confession?

Thanks.

 

[TheLostCoin]

Well, I guess I found the answer to my question for Question 2. I was looking at my new Ukrainian Prayer Book, and it has an examination of conscience in a very similar structure.

 

[~Anastasia~]

I think it's common enough to have some structured thing as "help" to examine conscience. My SF recommended one to me that is based both on the Beatitudes and the 10 Commandments, and a few other extra points as well.

 

[FenderTL5]

I think it's common enough to have some structured thing as "help" to examine conscience. My SF recommended one to me that is based both on the Beatitudes and the 10 Commandments, and a few other extra points as well.

Yes, I have a pdf file that was sent to me during catechism.. it has both the ten commandments and beatitudes as well as few other things.. I've been using it ever since catechism.

 

[Anhelyna]

My Priest suggested I should use Fr Alexander Men's Preparation for Confession - he thought it would be helpful for me - and it is .

http://www.alexandermen.com/Preparation_for_Confession

 

[ArmyMatt]

St Anthony's in Arizona has a great pamphlet listing sins against God, against neighbor, and against creation.