The Trisagion

The Trisagion (also, Trisagium), from the Greek, “three + holy” or “thrice-holy,” is perhaps an expanded version of Isaiah 6:3 (“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory”) or Revelation 4:8 (“Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come”).

The Trisagion is a hymn of praise to the eternal Trinity and is the official prayer of the Order of the Blessed Trinity, otherwise known as the Trinitarians. For centuries the Trinitarians and those affiliated with them have united themselves to the nine choirs of Angles (the Angelic Trisagium) in praising the Trinity.

The phrase, "Holy God, Holy Strong One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us" can be traced to the time of Patriarch Proclus (434-446 A.D.), a period when the heresies were beginning to appear. The period of major heresies for the Christian Church was predominately the fourth and fifth centuries. The most notable heresies (Arianism, Monophytism, etc.) developed in the East. The Trisagion Hymn is accepted to have been divinely revealed at Constantinople as the text sung by the angels in Isaiah or Revelation. The hymn itself follows the prayer of the Trisagion said by the priest, and is one of the most ancient hymns of the Christian Church. It is deeply Trinitarian and thus anti-Arian in character.

John of Damascus gives an account of the the Trisagion being imparted by angels to a child while experiencing an ecstasy.

The Trisagion should not be confused with the Sanctus (“Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory, Hosana in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest”), which has a separate history and tradition and is used at a different point in the liturgy.

Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us. (Three times)

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.

O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; O Lord, cleanse us of our sins; O Master, forgive our transgressions; O Most Holy One, come to us and heal our infirmities for your Name's sake.

Lord have mercy! (Three times)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, the earth is full of thy glory! Glory be to the Father, Glory be to the Son, Glory be to the Holy Ghost.

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus exercituum: Plena es terra gloria tua: Gloria Patri, Gloria Filio, Gloria Spiritui Sancto.

Here is a more ancient version. This “chaplet” consists of three sets of “nine small beads,” each set being separated with a large one.

Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

V. Lord, open my lips.
R. And my mouth shall declare Your praise.
V. O God, come to my assistance.
R. O Lord, make haste to help me.

V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
R. As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

The decade below is recited three times, once for each member of the Trinity.

All: Holy God, Holy Strong One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us.
V. Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

The following part of the decade is repeated nine times

V. To You, O Blessed Trinity, be praise, and glory, and thanksgiving, for ever and ever!
R. Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of hosts. Heaven and earth are filled with Your glory.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
R. As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

----End of decade----

Leader: God the Father unbegotten, only-begotten Son, and Holy Spirit, the Comforter; holy and undivided Trinity, with all our heart and voice we acknowledge You, we praise You, and we bless You: Glory to You forever.

V. Let us bless the Father, and the Son with the Holy Spirit.
R. Be praised and exalted above all things forever.

Leader: Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, who has permitted us Your servants, in our profession of the true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of that majesty to adore the Unity, grant, that by steadfastness in this same faith, we may be ever guarded against all adversity: through Christ our Lord. Amen.

All: Set us free, save us, enliven us, O Blessed Trinity!

A chaplet is part of a rosary comprising 5 decades. A decade is a division on a rosary.