Patriarch John X of Antioch sent a message to his flock about repentance in which he said that it was something much deeper than just regret.
Moreover, he pointed out that regret is one of the steps in the process of repentance, as one may acknowledge his or her mistakes. Then, one must correct his or her demeanour and to show that they have truly repented.
Read the message of Patriarch John of Antioch:
“Many understand repentance as an act of regret: I regret my sins. But no! Repentance is something much deeper than just regret. Regret is one of the steps in the process of repentance. One turns to self-knowledge, first. After coming back to the self, one acknowledges having made a mistake and then regrets it. But things do not stop at regretting and staying there, in sin. One rises and corrects one’s conduct, then looks ahead. Saint Paul says that man leaves what is behind and looks ahead.”