Trisagion

In Hebrew, repeating something three times denotes extreme emphasis and intensity. Isaiah’s repetition of words in 6:3 signifies that there is no other, more holy God. “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts.” If it were written today, it might read something like “Holiest, is the Lord of hosts.” Thankfully, original scripture wasn’t written in English.

The word trisagion (trisagios) is Greek for “thrice holy.” In its purest form, it derives from the angelic hymns found in Isaiah 6:3 and Revelation 4:8, which are also the inspiration for Reginald Heber’s hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy” in 1826. But long before Reginald was born, the Trisagion prayer was taking shape within the Eastern Orthodox Tradition.

The Trisagion prayer dates back to the third century, thanks to a 2018 archaeological discovery in Frankfurt, Germany. An amulet capsule was discovered in what was once the Roman settlement of Nida. Rolled up inside was a one-inch piece of silver foil bearing Latin writing. Part of the inscription refers to Titus (disciple of the Apostle Paul, not the Roman emperor). It also includes the translated words “Holy, Holy, Holy” and “Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” It ends with a nearly complete citation of Philippians 2:10-11.

The fourth century is believed to be when the prayer began to be referred to as a hymn. Influence from St. John Chrysostom furthered its use and development. Numerous words and phrases were added and removed. But the thrice-holy portion of the prayer remained the same.

In the fifth century, 447AD, the city of Constantinople experienced roughly four months of repeated earthquakes. Emperor Theodosius, a devout Nicene Christian, ordered all the people of the city to take part in a barefoot march to beg for mercy from God. During the march, they sang and shouted, “Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us!” And the earthquakes stopped. Soon after, its liturgical use began and became common.

Like psalms, well-written hymns give us the language of life and capture the posture and desire of our hearts better than our own thoughts. They allow us to communicate with God when our language is lacking. This hymn draws us into a penitent posture and leads us to confess our sins.

Recently, songwriter Fernando Ortega set this beautiful hymn and prayer to music.

Holy God

Exodus 15:11 “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness?”

Holy and Mighty

Psalm 50:1 “The Mighty One, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.”

Holy Immortal One

1 Timothy 1:17 “To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Have mercy, have mercy on us.

Isaiah 30:18 “Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.”