Two factors are involved in man's salvation: the grace of God and the will of man. Both must work together, if salvation is to be attained.
Repentance is a Mystery through which he who repents for his sins confesses before a Spiritual Father who has been appointed by the Church and has received the authority to forgive sins, and receives from this Spiritual Father the remission of his sins and is reconciled with the Deity, against Whom he sinned.
Repentance signifies regret, change of mind. The distinguishing marks of repentance are contrition, tears, aversion towards sin, and love of the good.
Saint Nektarios of Aegina
