not by works of righteousness which we

[Mary Naeem]

Pope Shenouda III


"...not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration" (Titus 3: 5). And about the Church he said: "... that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word" (Eph.5: 26). The Apostle considered that the washing of water (in baptism) is the washing of renewal and the washing away of sins.