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Biography
other usesThe title confessor is used within Christianity in several ways.
Confessor of the Faith
main|Confessor of the FaithIts oldest use is to indicate a saint who has suffered persecution of Christians|persecution and torture for the faith, but not to the point of death. The term is still used in this way in the Eastern Christianity|East . In Latin Church|Latin Christianity it has come to signify any saint, as well as those who have been declared blessed, who cannot be categorized by another title: martyr , Twelve apostles|apostle , Evangelism|evangelist , or Virgin (title)|virgin . As Christianity emerged as the dominant religion in Europe, persecutions became rare, and the title was given to saints who lived a holy life and died in peace. Perhaps the most well known example is the King of England|English king Edward the Confessor|St. Edward the Confessor .
Confession of sins
During the Great Persecution , a number of Christians had, under torture or threat of torture, weakened in their profession of the faith. When the persecutions ceased under Constantine the Great , they desired to be reunited with the Church. It became the practice of these penitent s to go to the Confessors, those who had willingly suffered for the faith and survived, to plead their case and effect their restoration to Mass (liturgy)#Communion rite|communion . Thus, the word has come to denote any priest who has been granted the authority to hear Sacrament of Reconciliation|confession s. This type of confessor may also be referred to as a "spiritual father."
In this sense of the term, it is standard practice for a religious community of women, either if enclosed religious orders|enclosed or just very large, to have a priest (Catholic Church)|priest , to serve as confessor to the community, serving their spiritual needs.
It can also be used as the title of the head of a religious society.
See also
Starets
Elder (Christianity)
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
External links
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04215a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia: Confessor , regarding the title "Confessor."
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11618c.htm Catholic Encyclopedia: Sacrament of Penance, regarding the ordinary minister of the Sacrament of Confession, the "confessor."
Category:Sacrament of Confession Category:Christian religious leaders Category:Priests Category:Sainthood
