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What is Repentance?

Repentance is not a one-time destination or a pursuit of perfection. It is a lifelong journey of continually turning our hearts back toward God.

The Greek word metanoia means “a change of mind,” but true repentance goes deeper. It is a change of direction for the heart and mind — a “U-turn” that reorients the eyes of the spirit back toward God.

Repentance is not self-loathing or despair. It is sobriety, honest self-reflection, and godly sorrow that leads to joy and victory in Christ.

Avoiding self-reflection is like refusing to see a doctor because you are afraid of a diagnosis. Avoiding the doctor does not make the sickness disappear — it simply leaves it untreated. In the same way, we must be willing to examine our hearts so that God can heal and transform us.

The Church gives us physical and spiritual tools to help facilitate this repentance: fasting, prostrations, confession, and the Holy Eucharist.

• Fasting: Teaches self-control. By practicing restraint in small, harmless things like food, we train ourselves to say “no” to larger temptations like lust, anger, or pride.
• Prostrations, or metanyas: A physical expression of repentance. We bow down to the ground, but the act is not complete until we stand back up — symbolizing our reorientation and return toward God.
• Confession: God takes away and carries the sins we cannot carry ourselves. It is a necessary mystery of the Church — a means of being continually renewed and purified by God.
• Holy Eucharist: The medicine of immortality. Through the Eucharist, God restores and renews what is dead within us and strengthens us to continue the journey of repentance.

As Sirach 17 reminds us, we are called to return to the Lord, forsake sin and pray, and reject iniquity. Repentance is not about being perfect. It is about getting back up and turning toward Christ again and again.

The struggle is not something we undertake for God, but with God. ✝️

As sin is separation from God, repentance is returning to God.

Therefore, repentance is a transition from death to life, according to the writings of Saint John the Evangelist in 1 John 3:14. Saint Paul the Apostle says concerning this:

“Awake, you who sleep; arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”
— Ephesians 5:14

Saint James the Apostle confirms the same meaning by saying:

“He who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.”
— James 5:20

Repentance is turning away from sin and returning to God. As Saint Augustine said:

“Repentance is a new pure heart, which God gives to the sinners to love Him with.”

True repentance is forsaking sin. Thus have been the stories of the saints who have repented, such as St. Augustine, St. Moses the Black, and St. Mary of Egypt.

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St. Moses the Strong: A Story of Repentance

The Early Life of St. Moses the Strong

In his early days, St. Moses was described as a strong, great leader of a band of thieves and murderers before he was led into the Desert of Scetis.

He committed many evil deeds and was feared by many. It was written of St. Moses that before the one true God was revealed to him, everything he did was for self-indulgence: drinking, eating, fornication, and acts of violence.

Yet, he seemed to be in search of the “real” God. St. Moses dwelt among pagan people who worshipped the sun. He would talk to the sun and sincerely ask, “Oh sun, if you are indeed God, let me know, and You the God whom I know not, lead me to You.”

St. Moses heard that the monks in the wilderness of Scetis knew God, so he immediately girded himself with his sword and went to the wilderness. When St. Moses was seen next, he was dwelling in Scetis, which is located in the western desert of Egypt.

The first monk St. Moses encountered in the desert of Scetis was the pious St. Isidore, who neither turned him away nor condemned him for his past. St. Isidore brought St. Moses to St. Macarius the Great.

Thus, St. Moses was led to two desert fathers who could teach, preach, and live the ascetic life by example and love for the Lord. These two fathers, both individually and collectively, would labour to expel evil out of the heart of a man who never knew the Lord Jesus Christ. They showed him God’s mercy and grace, which proceeded to fill his heart.

When the time for his baptism came, St. Moses confessed all his past sins. During his confession, St. Macarius saw a tablet that was all black, representing the sins of St. Moses. His sins were seen being wiped off, one by one, as they were confessed by St. Moses, until finally the tablet was completely white. St. Moses was then baptized by the hands of St. Macarius the Great.

As God’s grace filled the heart of St. Moses, this grace began to guide all his actions and thoughts, and he longed for the life of monasticism, just as St. Isidore and St. Macarius the Great.

While violence once filled the heart of St. Moses, God’s grace cleansed his heart, and it was made strong with the Holy Spirit, allowing him to overcome evil and darkness.

The Spiritual Warfare of St. Moses

St. Moses’ repentance did not come without spiritual warfare from the demons. It is said that St. Moses was fighting with the temptation of fornication while in his cell. He felt overcome by his struggle and ran to his spiritual father, St. Isidore.

St. Isidore encouraged him to return to his cell. St Moses could not endure being in his cell, and he went and informed Abba Isidore of it; and the old man entreated him to return to his cell, but he would not agree.

St. Isidore led Moses, in the predawn darkness, to the rooftop of the cell. St. Isidore had St. Moses look to the west, where he saw hordes of demons flying about, trying to attack him. St. Isidore then told him to look toward the east. St. Moses looked and saw an innumerable multitude of holy angels shining with glory. St. Isidore then reminded him that “those who are with us are more in number than the demons are.”

With St. Isidore’s guidance, St. Moses gave thanks to God and was encouraged to return to his cell and fight the temptation.

St. Moses’ life teaches us that victory comes through continuous spiritual struggle and never giving up. No one is beyond redemption. Through repentance, humility, spiritual guidance, and continuous struggle, even the greatest of sinners can become the greatest of saints.

St. Moses used to go to St. Isidore to ask for his advice on what to do. St. Isidore advised him to stand firm and continue his fasting and prayers, and through his obedience and perseverance, his temptations would subside.

He was also advised to keep his mind busy. St. Moses would learn to rely solely on his spiritual guide.

St. Moses the Strong — Famous Sayings

“A person who cannot control his or her tongue is like a house with no door or lock.”

“Do not judge another because we all have moments of weakness.”

“Confess your evil thoughts so they will not have power over you.”

“Go to God and He will comfort you. Release all of your weakness before God and He will be your strength.”

May the prayers of St. Moses be with us! ✝️

If you would like to learn more about the life of St. Moses the Strong, visit the St. Moses the Strong page.

You can also learn more through Robber to Repentant: The Life and Sayings of Abba Moses the Strong.

Our Nightstand Reflection Cards are intended to help you participate in reflection daily and journal your answers in order to grow in Christ and remain rooted in Him daily. ✝️

A Repentance Poster is coming soon, featuring prayers from the saints to help you reorient your thoughts toward Christ and keep repentance at the centre of your prayer corner.

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