Attributes of God – Absolute Perfection

The lecture affirms that among God’s essential attributes are perfection and holiness; God is perfect absolutely and does not accept deficiency or sin, while human perfection is relative and varies according to level and circumstances. On this basis the lecture explains the difference between “Holy (Quddus)” which indicates divine absolute holiness and “Saint” which is applied to humans in the sense of sanctification or relative integrity.

Holiness in God and the Trinity

The lecture states that holiness is ascribed to all persons of the Trinity: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and that the expression “Holy, holy, holy” in the heavenly texts reflects His nature which is incompatible with sin, causing in the soul fear and reverence before His holiness.

Holiness, worship and prayers

The lecture explains how the Church makes the sanctification of God part of its daily and liturgical prayers (such as doxologies and sanctifications) so that the believer feels the seriousness of His holiness and is ashamed before it, because mentioning God’s holiness awakens repentance and fear.

Holiness in persons and things

The lecture clarifies that everything that belongs to God becomes holy: the church, the holy books, the sacraments, the priests, the altar, and the services. Also, man is sanctified by baptism, chrism, and by the blood of Christ — so the body becomes a temple of the Holy Spirit and therefore holy.

The spiritual-educational dimension (from a Coptic Orthodox faith perspective)

The lecture’s call includes reminding the believer of the necessity to submit to God’s holiness, to self-examine for sin, and to strive for a holy life through consecration, confession and repentance. Holiness is not merely a word but a reality that changes the human relationship with God and transfers him from a state of sin to a state of sanctity and belonging.

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