The Church is formed and manifested in the celebration of the mystery of Divine Thanksgiving and our participation in it, because it is the mystery that transforms the community, that is, the parish, into a Church. In the mystery of Divine Thanksgiving, the parish is a universal Church, because Christ Himself is present in it. The faithful must know that every time they gather to celebrate the Divine Liturgy, “their Church gathers,” that is, the entire Church. Every member of the parish is a member of the universal Orthodox Church.

The heavenly birth that Christ speaks of is “the washing of regeneration and renewal that comes from the Holy Spirit,” that is, receiving the Holy Spirit through baptism in the name of the Holy Trinity. It is the presence of the Holy Spirit that renews the birth of man. This presence takes place within the Church through the sacrament of baptism and the other sacraments.

ليس الروح القدس غريباً عن طبيعة الآب، فهو يأتي من جوهره، أي أن كلاهما من جوهر واحد. لا يستطيع الإنسان أن يصل إلى هذه الحقيقة بمفرده، ولا بدّ أن يرشده الروح القدس نفسه، ولا نستطيع أن نضع له حدوداً، أو أن نفصله عن الآب والابن.