Repentance

I would like to share with you more about repentance. In the Orthodox Church, repentance is not only something we do once, but a lifelong journey of turning our hearts back to God.

Repentance begins with Christ’s call. When Jesus began His ministry, His first words were: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). Repentance means changing our direction—turning away from sin and back toward God.

Repentance is more than feeling sorry. True repentance is not only sorrow for sin, but a desire to change. Saint Paul explains: “Godly sorrow produces repentance that leads to salvation” (2 Corinthians 7:10). This kind of sorrow brings healing, not despair.

Repentance is daily renewal. The Orthodox Church teaches that repentance is part of every day. King David prayed: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). Each day is a new opportunity to return to God with sincerity.

Repentance brings forgiveness. The Bible promises: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Repentance always leads to God’s mercy, because He desires not the death of the sinner, but that we turn and live (Ezekiel 18:23).

Repentance heals the soul. Sin wounds us, but repentance restores us. This is why the Church offers confession, prayer, fasting, and acts of love as ways to strengthen us in the journey of repentance. Jesus Himself compared it to a son returning to his father, who runs to embrace him (Luke 15:20).

Repentance leads us closer to Christ. As we repent, we are drawn into deeper union with Christ, who said: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Repentance is the path by which we grow in holiness and prepare for the Kingdom of God.

Repentance is not a single act, but a way of life. It means always turning back to God with trust, knowing that His mercy never fails.

With love in Christ,
Fr. Charles

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