Orthodoxwiki states,
"Repentance is the feeling and act in which one recognizes and tries to right a wrong, or gain forgiveness from someone whom he wronged. In religious contexts it usually refers to repenting for a sin against God. It always includes an admission of guilt, and also includes at least one of the following: a solemn promise or resolve not to repeat the offense; an attempt to make restitution for the wrong, or in some way to reverse the harmful effects of the wrong where possible.
In Biblical Hebrew, the idea of repentance is represented by two verbs: שוב shuv (to return) and נח�? nicham (to feel sorrow).
In the New Testament, the word translated as 'repentance' is the Greek word μετάνοια (metanoia), "after/behind one's mind," which is a compound word of the preposition 'meta' (after, with), and the verb 'noeo' (to perceive, to think, the result of perceiving or observing). In this compound word the preposition combines the two meanings of time and change, which may be denoted by 'after' and 'different'; so that the whole compound means: 'to think differently after'. Metanoia is therefore primarily an after-thought, different from the former thought; a change of mind accompanied by regret and change of conduct, "change of mind and heart", or, "change of consciousness". One of the key descriptions of repentance in the New Testament is the parable of the prodigal son found in Luke 15:11."
Thus to repent is to change, go into a different direction. An Orthodox life is the path to repentance, if and only if, followed as direct as one can, as we are all human. Go in 180 degree turn in you thoughts and life.
Repentance is indeed an act of reconciliation, of reintegration into the Body of Christ, which has been torn asunder by sin. For “if one member suffers, all suffer together” (1 Corinthians 12.26). As Orthodox Christians we are one body, His Body. What ones does in his personal life reflects and affects all other Orthodox Christians, especially in the Parish he or she is a member of. We are Family!
According to His Grace Bishop Atanasije (Jevtić) of the Serbian Orthodox Church reposed in the Lord on March 4: "Repentance is the beginning of a new Christian life, or a new Christian existence—existence in Christ. Thus, the Gospel begins with the words of St. John the Forerunner: Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. And Christ’s preaching after His Baptism was Repent and believe in the Gospel."
Please click on this link to read his sermon on Repentance. It is a wonderful and will bring blessings to you and yours. https://orthochristian.com/
"Repentance is impossible without meeting God. Therefore, God goes out to meet man... You can even say that love and freedom are contained in the very center, in the core of man. God’s love called man forth out of non-existence. The call of God was realized and received its response. But this answer is personal! That is, man is the answer to the Divine call."
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