Trisagion
The Trisagion (
In churches which use the Byzantine Rite, the Trisagion is chanted immediately before the Prokeimenon and the Epistle reading. It is also included in a set of prayers named for it, called the Trisagion Prayers, which forms part of numerous services (the Hours, Vespers, Matins, and as part of the opening prayers for most services).
It is most prominent in the Latin Church for its use on Good Friday. It is also used in the Liturgy of the Hours and in some Catholic devotions.
Form of the prayer
The Trisagion prayer is an ancient prayer in Christianity.
In Greek:
Ἅγιος ὁ Θεός, Ἅγιος ἰσχυρός, Ἅγιος ἀθάνατος, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς.
Hágios ho Theós, Hágios iskhūrós, Hágios āthánatos, eléēson hēmâs.
In
In English – literal translation:
Holy God, Holy Strong, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.[4]
In English – common liturgical translation:
In Syriac:
ܩܕܝܫܬ ܐܠܗܐ܆ ܩܕܝܫܬ ܚܝܠܬܢܐ܆ ܩܕܝܫܬ ܠܐ ܡܝܘܬܐ܆ ܐܬܪܚܡܥܠܝܢ
Qadišat Aloho, qadišat ḥaylṯono qadišat lo moyuṯo eṯraḥam ʿalayn.
History
Traditional origins
The Greek phrase Trisagion translates as "Thrice Holy". In this hymn God is described as holy in three different qualities; Agios o Theos means "Holy God".
The hymn is of great antiquity, and perhaps much older than the event assigned by the Greek
The hymn was one of the exclamations of the fathers at the Council of Chalcedon (451), and is common not only to all the Greek Oriental liturgies but was used also in the Gallican Liturgy (see Saint Germain of Paris, d. 576), which shows that the hymn is ancient. Some believe it is extremely ancient, perhaps of apostolic-era origin. However this goes against the menology tradition regarding its origin.
The Coptic Orthodox Church and Armenian Apostolic Church believe that the Trisagion originated from Nicodemus. While taking the body of Christ off the cross with Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus saw Jesus Christ's eyes open [citation needed] and then shouted "Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal". Traditionally, it is also considered proof that his Divinity did not part from his humanity.
Greek and Latin
The Gallican Liturgy refers to it as being sung both in Greek and in Latin: Incipiente præsule ecclesia Ajus [that is, Agios] psallit, dicens latinum cum græco, as also previously in Greek alone, before the
Modifications in history
Various additions or modifications made to the Trisagion at certain points in history have been the subject of considerable controversy. According to Pseudo-Zacharias Rhetor, the phrase 'who wast crucified for us' was added to it by
Whether the Trisagion is to be understood as addressed to the
Later
The eighty-first canon of the
In the eleventh century,
Variations of the traditional formula and Trinitarian ascription are found also in the
The
Usage
In the Divine Liturgy
When the Trisagion is sung during the Divine Liturgy of the Byzantine Rite, before the Prokeimenon of the Gospel that precedes the Epistle reading, it is normally sung three times to one of many melodies composed for it. This is followed by singing Glory... Now..., the second half of the Trisagion once, and finally the whole Trisagion a fourth time:
- Holy God, Holy [and] Mighty, Holy [and] Immortal, have mercy on us.
- Holy God, Holy [and] Mighty, Holy [and] Immortal, have mercy on us.
- Holy God, Holy [and] Mighty, Holy [and] Immortal, have mercy on us.
- Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
- Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us.
- Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us.
On the other hand, in the usage of the other, non-Byzantine Eastern Churches, the Trisagion is simply sung thrice, with no Glory... Now....
In the
In the
In the
The Trisagion also has a similar place in the liturgies of the
As part of the Trisagion Prayers
During most services of the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Trisagion is combined with several other prayers to form a unit, often called simply the Trisagion Prayers. This set of prayers forms part of the opening prayers of most services, and is also located within many of the Hours and daily cycle of services.
The full version normally looks like this:
- Holy God, Holy [and] Mighty, Holy [and] Immortal, have mercy on us. (three times)
- Glory... Both now...
- All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy God, visit and heal us for thy Name's sake.
- Lord, have mercy. (three times)
- Glory... Both now...
- Our Father...
While it is possible that the Trisagion has origins in the Biblical 'thrice holy' of Isaiah 6:3 (the Sanctus: Holy, holy, holy, Lord of Sabaoth. Heaven and earth are full of your glory', etc.), they are today separate prayers. The latter is used at a different point in the Liturgy (in the Divine Liturgy, during the anaphora).
The trisagion is also sung at the entry of the coffin into the church at a funeral and when the coffin is carried to the grave.
Latin Church
In the Latin liturgy
In the Latin Church, the main regular use of the Trisagion is on
- Greek (First) Choir: Hágios ho Theós. (Holy God)
- Latin (Second) Choir: Sanctus Deus.
- Greek (First) Choir: Hágios iskhūrós. (Holy Strong One)
- Latin (Second) Choir: Sanctus fortis.
- Greek (First) Choir: Hágios āthánatos, eléēson hēmâs. (Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us)
- Latin (Second) Choir: Sanctus immortális, miserére nobis.
The hymn is sung in this manner thrice, responding to the first three of twelve reproaches.
In the Latin Church, the Trisagion is employed in the hour of
Latin Catholic devotions
In the
A prayer similar to the Trisagion is a part of the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy:
- Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
It is referred to as the "Holy God prayer," and is said near the end of the chaplet.[17]
Anglican Communion
Book of Common Prayer
A paraphrase of the Trisagion was used in the anthem "In the midst of life" found in the graveside Burial liturgy in the first Book of Common Prayer and subsequent revisions, including those in 1552, 1559, 1604, and 1662.[18] The form found in the 1662 prayer book is:
In the midst of life we are in death: of whom may we seek for succour, but of thee, O Lord, who for our sins art justly displeased? Yet, O Lord God most holy, O Lord most mighty, O holy and most merciful Saviour, deliver us not into the bitter pains of eternal death.[19]
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
Common Worship
In Common Worship used by the Church of England, the Trisagion is used principally as a concluding prayer of the Litany in the following form:
Holy God, holy and strong, holy and immortal, have mercy upon us.
It is also used in the Good Friday liturgy in the same way as in the Roman Catholic Church.
Other languages
Africa
- Heilige God, Heilige Sterke, Heilige Onsterflike, Ontferm U oor ons.
Amharic (Ethiopia):
- ቅዱስ ፡ እግዚአብሔር ፡ ቅዱስ ፡ ኃያል ፡ ቅዱስ ፡ ሕያው ፡ የማይሞት ፡ የማይለወጥ አቤቱ ፡ ይቅር ፡ በለን ።
- Qədus ʾƎgziäbḥer, Qədus Ḫayal, Qədus Ḥəyaw, Yämaymot, ʾÄbetu Yəqər Bälän.
Coptic (Egypt):
Ⲁ̀ⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲟ̀ Ⲑⲉⲟⲥ: ⲁ̀ⲅⲓⲟⲥ Ⲓⲥⲭⲩⲣⲟⲥ: ⲁ̀ⲅⲓⲟⲥ Ⲁ̀ⲑⲁⲛⲁⲧⲟⲥ: ⲉ̀ⲗⲉⲏ̀ⲥⲟⲛ ⲏ̀ⲙⲁⲥ.
Agios O Theos: Agios Isheros: Agios Athanatos: Eleison Imas.
- ቅዱስ ፡ እግዚአብሔር ፡ ቅዱስ ፡ ኃያል ፡ ቅዱስ ፡ ሕያው ፡ ዘኢይመውት ፡ ተሣሃለነ ፡ እግዚኦ ።
- Qədus ʾƎgziäbḥer, Qədus Ḫayal, Qədus Ḥəyaw, Zäʾiyəmäwət, Täśahalänä ʾƎgzio.
- ቅዱስ ፡ እግዚኣብሔር ፡ ቅዱስ ፡ ኃያል ፡ ቅዱስ ፡ ዘይመውት ፡ ሕያው ፡ ይቕረ ፡ በለልና ።
- Qədus ʾƎgziäbḥer, Qədus Ḫayal, Qədus Ḥəyaw, Zäyəmäwət, Yəꝗər Bäläləna.
Asia
- אלהים הקדוש, גבור הקדוש, אל-עולם הקדוש: רחם נא
- Elohim HaQádosh, Guibor HaQádosh, El-Olam HaQádosh: Rájem Ná.
- قدوس الله، قدوس القوي، قدوس الذي لا يموت ارحمنا
- Quddūsun Allāh, Quddūsun al-qawī, Quddūsun alladhī lā yamūt urḥamnā.
- Balaan na Diyos, Balaan na Hingpit sa Kagamhanan, Balaan na Wala’y Katapusan, kaloy-i kami.
- 至聖之上帝,至聖及大能之上帝,至聖及永生之上帝,憐憫我們。 (Traditional characters)
- 至圣之上帝,至圣及大能之上帝,至圣及永生之上帝,怜悯我们。 (Simplified characters)
- Zhì shèng zhī Shàngdì, zhì shèng jí dà néng zhī Shàngdì, zhì shèng jí yǒngshēng zhī Shàngdì, liánmǐn wǒmen. (pinyin)
- Banál na Diyós, Banál na Puspós ng Kapángyarihan, Banál na Waláng-Hanggán, maawà Ka sa amin.
- Allah Kudus, Perkasa Kudus, Abadi Kudus, kasihanilah kami.
- 聖なる神, 聖なる勇毅, 聖なる常生の者や、我等を憐れめよ。
- Seinaru Kami, Seinaru Yūki, Seinaru Jōseinomonoya, Warerao Awaremeyo.
- 거룩하신 하느님이여, 거룩하고 전능하신 이여, 거룩하고 영원하신 이여, 우리를 불쌍히 여기소서.
- Georukhasin Haneunimiyo, Georukhago Jeonneunghan Iyo, Georukhago Yeongwonhashin Iyo, Urirul Bulsanghi Yeogisoseo.
- കന്ദീശ ആലാഹ, കന്ദീശ ഹൈലസാനാ, കന്ദീശ ലാ മോയൂസ, എതറാഹിം ആലെയ്ൻ. (East Syriac Rite)
- Kandeesha Alaha, Kandeesha Hailsana, Kandeesha la Moyusa, Etharahem Aleyn.
- കാദീശത് ആലോഹോ, കാദീശത് ഹെൽതോനോ, കാദീശത് ലോ മോയൂതൊ ഇതരാഹേം ആലെയ്ൻ. (West Syriac Rite)
- Kadeeshath Aloho, Kadeeshath Helthono, Kadeeshath lo Moyutho Itharahem Aleyn.
- पवित्र देवा, पवित्र शक्तिमान, पवित्र अमर्त्या, आम्हावर दया कर.
- Pavitra Deva, Pavitra Shaktiman, Pavitra Amartyaa, Aamhaavar Daya Kar.
East Syriac: ܩܰܕܺܝܫܰܐ ܐܰܠܰܗܰܐ ܩܰܕܺܝܫܰܐ ܚܰܝܠܬܰܢܰܐ ܩܰܢܕܺܝܫܰܐ ܠܐܰ ܡܰܝܽܘܬܰܐ ܐܶܬܪܰܚܰܡ ܥܠܰܝܢ
- Qadisha Alaha, Qadisha Haylthana, Qadisha La Mayutha, 'ithraham 'alayn.
West Syriac: ܩܰܕܺܝܫܰܬ ܐܰܠܳܗܳܐ ܩܰܕܺܝܫܰܬ ܚܰܝܠܬܳܢܳܐ ܩܰܕܺܝܫܰܬ ܠܐܳ ܡܳܝܽܘܬܳܐ ܐܶܬܪܰܚܰܡ ܥܠܰܝܢ
- Qadishath Aloho, Qadishath Haylthono, Qadishath Lo Moyutho, ethraham 'alayn.
- (Holy God, Holy and Strong, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us.)
- Santo Dios, Santo Mapuersa, Santo Imortal, tene lastima kanamon.
- Lạy Thiên Chúa Chí Thánh, Đấng Toàn Năng Chí Thánh, Đấng Bất Tử Chí Thánh, xin thương xót chúng con.
Europe
- "Shenjt Perëndi, Shenjt i fuqishëm, Shenjt i pavdekshëm, mëshirona."
- Սուրբ Աստուած, սուրբ եւ հզօր, սուրբ եւ անմահ, որ խաչեցար վասն մեր, ողորմեա մեզ։
- Soorp Asdvadz, soorp yev hzor, soorp yev anmah, vor khatchetsar vasn mer, vołormya mez։
- "Holy God, Holy and mighty, Holy and immortal, who wast crucified for our sake, have mercy on us."
- Սուրբ Աստուած, սուրբ եւ հզօր, սուրբ եւ անմահ, որ յարեար ի մեռելոց, ողորմեա մեզ։
- Soorp Asdvadz, soorp yev hzor, soorp yev anmah, vor haryar i meṙelots, vołormya mez։
- "Holy God, Holy and mighty, Holy and immortal, who didst rise from the dead, have mercy on us."
- Сьвяты Божа, Сьвяты Моцны, Сьвяты Несьмяротны, памілуй нас. (Cyrillic orthography)
- Śviaty Boža, Śviaty Mocny, Śviaty Nieśmiarotny, pamiłuj nas. (Latin orthography)
- Светий Боже, Светий Крепки, Светий Безсмъртни, помилуй нас!
- Svetij Bože, Svetij Krepki, Svetij Bezsmărtni, pomiluj nas!
- Old Church Slavonic:
- свѧтꙑи боже · свѧтꙑи крѣпъкꙑи · свѧтꙑи бесъмрьтьнꙑи · помилоуи насъ ⁘
- svętyi bože, svętyi krěpŭkyi, svętyi bezsŭmrĭtĭnyi, pomilui nasŭ.
- Russian Church Slavonic:
- Свѧты́й Бо́же, Свѧты́й Крѣ́пкый, Свѧты́й Безсме́ртный, поми́луй на́съ.
- Svjatyj Bože, Svjatyj Kriepkyj, Svjatyj Bezsmertnyj, pomiłuj nas.
- Sveti Bože, Sveti Jaki, Sveti Besmrtni, smiluj nam se.
- Hellige Gud, hellige Stærke, hellige Udødelige, forbarm Dig over os.
- Heilige God, Heilige Sterke, Heilige Onsterfelijke, Ontferm U over ons.
- Püha Jumal, püha Vägev, püha Surematu, halasta meie peale!
- Pyhä Jumala, Pyhä Väkevä, Pyhä Kuolematon, armahda meitä.
- Saint Dieu, Saint Fort, Saint Immortel, aie pitié de nous.
- წმინდაო ღმერთო, წმინდაო ძლიერო, წმინდაო უკვდავო, შეგვიწყალენ ჩვენ.
- Ts'mindao Ghmerto, Ts'mindao Dzliero, Ts'mindao Uk'vdavo, shegvits'qalen chven.
- Heiliger Gott, heiliger starker, heiliger unsterblicher, erbarme dich unser.
- Szent Isten, Szent Erős, Szent Halhatatlan, irgalmazz nekünk!
- Heilagi Guð, heilagi Sterki, heilagi Ódauðlegi, miskunna þú oss.
- Santo Dio, Santo forte, Santo immortale, abbi pietà di noi.
- Dio santo, Dio forte, Dio immortale, abbi pietà di noi.
- Святой Юмо, Святой Куатле, Святой Колыдымо, мемнам серлаге.
- Svyatoy Yumo, Svyatoy Kuatle, Svyatoy Kolydymo, memnam serlage.
- Свети Боже, Свети Крепки, Свети Бесмртни, помилуј нè.
- Sveti Bože, Sveti Krepki, Sveti Besmrtni, pomiluj ne!
- Hellige Gud, hellige Sterke, hellige Udødelige, forbarm Deg over oss.
- Święty Boże, Święty Mocny, Święty Nieśmiertelny, zmiłuj się nad nami.
- Santo Deus, Santo Poderoso, Santo Imortal, tende piedade de nós.
- Sfinte Dumnezeule, Sfinte Tare, Sfinte Fără de Moarte, miluieşte-ne pe noi.
- Святый Боже, Святый Крепкий, Святый Бессмертный, помилуй нас!
- Svyaty Bozhe, Svyaty Krepky, Svyaty Bessmertny, pomiluy nas!
- Свети Боже, Свети Крепки, Свети Бесмртни, помилуј нас. (Cyrillic orthography)
- Sveti Bože, Sveti Krepki, Sveti Besmrtni, pomiluj nas. (Latin orthography)
- Svätý Bože, Svätý Silný, Svätý Nesmrteľný, zmiluj sa nad nami.
- Santo Dios, Santo Fuerte, Santo Inmortal, ten piedad de nosotros.
- Helige Gud, helige starke, helige odödlige, förbarma Dig över oss.
- Kutsal Tanrı, Kutsal Kudretli, Kutsal Ölümsüz, bize merhamet göster.
- Святий Боже, Святий Кріпкий, Святий Безсмертний, помилуй нас.
- Svâtij Bože, Svâtij Krìpkij, Svâtij Bezsmertnij, pomiluj nas. (ISO 9 transliteration)
- Sviatyi Bozhe, Sviatyi Kripkyi, Sviatyi Bezsmertnyi, pomylui nas. (English transilteration)
Anti-Trisagion
Some feasts call for replacing the Trisagion in the Divine Liturgy with an alternative invocation known as an Anti-Trisagion. The variants of the hymn include:
- "Before Thy Cross we bow down in worship, Master, and we glorify Thy Holy Resurrection."[20][21]
- "As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia."[22] – from Galatians 3:27
References
- ^ This is the traditional romanization of the title. A more accurate version, which includes the rough breathing marks and oxiae, would be Hágios ho Theós. For more information, see Rough breathing
- ^ "Agios o Theos". The Catholic Encyclopedia.
- ^ "Trisagium Angelicum". Thesaurus of Latin Prayers.
- ^ "a Note on the Translation of the Trisagion" (PDF). Archived from the original on 14 April 2016. Retrieved 11 March 2014.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ "Liturgy of St John Chrysostom". Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
- ^ "Liturgy of St John Chrysostom". St George Antiochian Orthodox Church. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
- ^ "Liturgy of St John Chrysostom" (PDF). St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church.
- ISBN 978-1-84631-493-3.
- ISBN 978-81-7214-617-7.
- ^ Salmond, S. D. F. "John of Damascus: Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, Book III, Chapter X.—Concerning the Trisagium". In Philip Schaff (ed.). Hilary of Poitiers, John of Damascus. Vol. 2–09. pp. 53b–54. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
{{cite book}}
:|work=
ignored (help) - ISBN 978-0-85323-760-0. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
- ^ Percival, Henry R. "The Canons of the Council in Trullo, Canon LXXXI". In Philip Schaff (ed.). The Seven Ecumenical Councils. Vol. 2–14. pp. 400–401. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
{{cite book}}
:|work=
ignored (help) - ISSN 0812-6402
- ^ Parry (1999), p. 498
- ^ Parry (1999), p. 166
- ISBN 978-0-9706526-6-9page 1
- ISBN 978-1-59614-036-3.
- ^ Armentrout, Don S.; Slocum, Robert Boak. "Trisagion". An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church. The Episcopal Church (US). Retrieved 4 April 2023.
- ^ "The Order for The Burial of the Dead". Book of Common Prayer (1662). Church of England. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
- ^ "Divine Liturgy Variables Divine Liturgy Variables Liturgy Variables for the Exaltation (Elevsation) of the Holy Cross" (PDF).
- ^ "Adoration of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross". www.saintjosephorthodox.org. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
- ^ "Sunday, June 19, 2016". All Saints Orthodox Christian Church. 17 June 2016. Archived from the original on 7 January 2017. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
Sources
- This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Agios O Theos". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
- This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Improperia". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
- Liber Usualis Missae et Officii: Paris n.d.
- Parry, Ken; David Melling, eds. (1999). The Blackwell Dictionary of Eastern Christianity. Malden, Massachusetts.: Blackwell Publishing. ISBN 0-631-23203-6.
External links
- "Trisagion Prayer – Legion of Mary".
- "The Eucharistic Holy God (music score)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 April 2015.