The titles given to the Holy Spirit must surely stir the soul of anyone who hears them, and make him realise that they speak of nothing less than the supreme Being. Is he not called the Spirit of God, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, the steadfast Spirit, the guiding Spirit? But his principal and most personal title is the Holy Spirit.
To the Spirit all creatures turn in their need for sanctification; all living things seek him according to their ability. His breath empowers each to achieve its own natural end.
The Spirit is the source of holiness, a spiritual light, and he offers his own light to every mind to help it in its search for truth. By nature the Spirit is beyond the reach of our mind, but we can know him by his goodness. The power of the Spirit fills the whole universe, but he gives himself only to those who are worthy, acting in each according to the measure of his faith.
Simple in himself, the Spirit is manifold in his mighty works. The whole of his being is present to each individual; the whole of his being is present everywhere. Though shared in by many, he remains unchanged; his self giving is no loss to himself. Like the sunshine, which permeates all the atmosphere, spreading over land and sea, and yet is enjoyed by each person as though it were for him alone, so the Spirit pours forth his grace in full measure, sufficient for all, and yet is present as though exclusively to everyone who can receive him. To all creatures that share in him he gives a delight limited only by their own nature, not by his ability to give.
The Spirit raises our hearts to heaven, guides the steps of the weak, and brings to perfection those who are making progress. He enlightens those who have been cleansed from every stain of sin and makes them spiritual by communion with himself.
As clear, transparent substances become very bright when sunlight falls on them and shine with a new radiance, so also souls in whom the Spirit shines become spiritual themselves and a source of grace for others.
From the Spirit comes foreknowledge of the future, understanding of the mysteries of faith, insight into the hidden meaning of Scripture, and other special gifts. Through the Spirit we become citizens of heaven, we enter into eternal happiness, and abide in God. Through the Spirit we acquire a likeness to God; indeed, we attain what is beyond our most sublime aspirations – we become God.
-- From the treatise On the Holy Spirit by Saint Basil the Great, bishop
選讀聖巴西略主教《聖神論》
（聖神的化工）
誰聽到聖神的許多名字，一定會滿心雀躍，並深深瞭解，這些名稱所指的只能是至高的神明。因為他被稱為天主之神，真理之神，是由父所發的；正直之神，領導之神。「聖神」是他固有的、特殊的名稱。
急需聖化的萬物都投奔聖神；一切度聖善生活的人都尋求他，藉他的噓氣，而振作精神並得到扶助，如此，使他們達到適於其本性的固有目的。
聖神是聖德的泉源，燭照理性的光明，他把他自己的光明賜給每一個有理性的人，幫助他追求真理。
他就本性而論是不可接近的，但是我們由於他的仁慈，而能認識他。他以大能充滿一切，可是只有那當得起的人才能分享他。然而分享的多少各有不同；他依照人信德的大小分施他的能力。
他的本質是單純的，能力卻是多方面的：是整個的他臨在於每人身上，整個的他處處都在。他被分開，卻不受損害。他被眾人分享，他卻仍然完整無缺。好像日光，它的溫煦嘉惠某人，好像只有他一個人受惠；但它也普照大地和海洋，散發在空氣之中。
聖神也是如此臨在於那能接納他的每一個人身上；他施放的聖寵為所有的人是足夠的，而且是全部的，但每人卻覺得這聖寵只賜給他一個人。他們分沾聖神，是依照他們本性接受的能力，而不是依照聖神賜與的能力。
聖神使人心高舉，領導軟弱的人，使進步的人達到成全。他光照那些洗淨一切罪汙的人，並藉著與他的共融，使他們成為屬神的人。
如同清潔而透明的物體，受到光線的照射便分外光明燦爛，而從自身放射出另一道光芒；同樣，擁有聖神的人靈，為聖神所光照，他們本身也成了屬神的，並把聖寵分施給別的人。
這聖寵使他們能預見未來，領悟奧跡，洞察隱微，接受屬神的恩惠，存想天上的事，與天神共舞。因此，他們將有無盡的歡樂，永遠居住在天主內，並與天主相似。的確，人所能希冀的，沒有比這恩寵更崇高的了：人竟成了天主！
