How should we confess? "We should confess how we sinned and what sin we committed—that is all. It is good to write a confession ahead of time, not according to the books,[2] and read it yourself to the confessor. It will be understandable and less burdensome for the confessor, as well as easy and consoling for the penitent."
- Elder Ambrose of Optina
Reference: http://www.pravoslavie.ru/english/47530.htm
[2]That is, not just according to the published guidelines on confession.—Ed.
