Canon of Repentance 2 min read · PDF 2026-03-15 2026-W11-7

Throughout

A dialogue with one’s soul about the need for repentance.

Godly Sorrow

9 As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. 10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 11 For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter. — 2 Corinthians 7

Christ’s mercy enables us to repent

(O2.25/48) Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me. I have no tears, no repentance, no compunction; but as God do Thou Thyself, O Savior, bestow them on me (Ezekiel 36.26).

(O3.7/68) Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me. Thou art my beloved Jesus (Song of Songs 7.10), Thou art my Creator (2 Corinthians 5.17, Ephesians 2.10, 3.9, Colossians 1.16); in Thee shall I be justified (Romans 3.28, 1 Corinthians 6.11, Galatians 2.16–17), O Savior.

Christ is the Physician

Parable of the The Good Samaritan

Lover of mankind

We say Christ is the Lover of Mankind again and again in the Liturgy

thou didst not cease to do all things until thou had brought up to heaven — St John Chrysostom’s Anaphora

Kontakion

My soul, O my soul, rise up! Why art thou sleeping? The end draws near and soon thou shalt be troubled. Watch, then, that Christ thy God may spare thee, for He is everywhere present and fills all things.

The remembrance of death becomes the remembrance of God, the God who descended into Hades to save us. Clément

By Ode

Ode 1

A beginning The weight/yoke of sin

Ode 2

The depth of sin (1 Timothy 1.15) Garments

Ode 3

The fire of judgement Our journey

Ode 4

Awake (before the end) The testimony of conscience Action and contemplation

Ode 5

Darkness and light Filth and cleanness/purity

Ode 6

Abyss, hades God’s provision

Ode 7

Sensuality, animal appetite A turning again (repentance as turning)

Ode 8

Greed and hospitality Tears The final judgement (old age and illness)

Ode 9

New Testament Prayer and fasting Following example of Christ The power of Christ