This document discusses the history and origins of the Trisagion prayer. It traces references to the prayer back to the 8th century in Armenian liturgies. The earliest evidence of its use is in the 5th century at the Council of Chalcedon. There are various accounts of the origins of the prayer, including that during an earthquake in Constantinople, angels were heard singing it or that it was divinely inspired. The document analyzes the theological doctrines emphasized in the prayer and discusses debates around its origins.

1. Historical
Prospective of the Liturgy
THE TRISAGION - ΤΡΙΣΆΓΙΟΝ
ipodiakonos zoran j. bobic

2. The Trisagion
• PRAYER OF THE THRICEHOLY (low voice):
O Holy God, who restest in the holies; unto whom the seraphim sing the thriceholy song;
whom the cherubim glorify, and all the heavenly hosts adore; who didst bring into being
all that exists; who didst create man in Thine image and likeness, and didst adorn him
with Thine every gift; who givest wisdom and understanding to him that asketh, and art
not wroth with the sinner, but dost grant repentance to salvation; who hast deemed us,
Thine humble and unmeritable servants, worthy at this hour to stand before the glory of
Thy Holy Altar, to bring unto Thee rightful worship and praise: accept, O Master, from
the mouths of us sinners the thriceholy hymn, and visit us with Thy goodness. Pardon
our offences, voluntary and involuntary. Sanctify our souls and bodies, and grant us to
serve Thee in holiness, all the days of our life. By the prayers of the Mother of God, and of
all the saints which have been well pleasing unto Thee since the world began.

3. The Trisagion
• Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
Bible References: Saint Luke 8:47
• Choir: Lord, have mercy.
• Priest: For You are Holy, our God, and to You we give glory, to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever to the ages of ages.
Bible References: Saint Mark 1:24, Saint Luke 4:34, Deuteronomy 32:30
• Choir: Amen. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Repeat 3 times).
Bible References: Isaiah 6:3, Isaiah 57:15, Revelation 4:8, Saint Luke 1:49, Psalms 42:2
• Choir: Glory to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever to the ages of ages. Amen. Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
Bible References: Psalms 108:5, 1 Timothy 1:17, Saint Matthew 20: 30 - 31, Jude 1:25
• Choir: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
Bible References: Leviticus 11: 44 - 45

4. The Trisagion
• Trisagion Prayer 2 doctrine is emphasized:
• Universal creation;
• Creation of man in God’s image and likeness;
• Fathers, since 1st century developed and defined the doctrine of universal creation;
• Creating us in His image/likeness = God gifted man with privileges;
• This gave man a resemblance, however imperfect to God;
• Resemblance = many things supernatural & natural;
• Natural: endowments of the soul, spirituality, freedom and immortality;
• Supernatural: endowment of sanctifying grace, virtues of faith, hope, charity…etc.;
• Through these endowments = what makes man most like God;

5. The Trisagion
• Trisagion text can be traced back to the beginning of the 8th century;
• Traces are found in Armenian version of Chrysostom Liturgy;
• Some traces are from 7th century;
• There is liturgical and Biblical Trisagion;
• Trisagion was common to the whole East, before the end of the 5th century, but
nothing is known about this?
• Earliest evidence of its use is found at the Council of Chalcedon (A.D. 451);
• Byzantine historians believe that Trisagion is/was divinely inspired;
• Why: the earthquake at Constantinople;

6. The Trisagion
• St. Proclus, Patriarch of Constantinople, was leading the people in prayer;
• Earthquake strikes….;
• A boy was lifted up into the air…;
• Everyone heard the angels sinning the Trisagion;
• However there is NO evidence of earthquake between A.D. 434 and 446?
• Evidence came from 2 sources:
• Peter the Fuller (Monophysite Patriarch of Antioch)
• Testimony of St. John Damascene (A.D. 749)

7. The Trisagion
• Trisagion = origin offered by Iesuiabus I, Katholikos of the Chaldeans
(A.D. 581-596);
• Almost same = but differs in several details;
• During the earthquake angel told priest to praise the God with these
words:
• HOLY GOD, HOLY MIGHTY ONE, HOLY IMMORTAL ONE HAVE MERCY ON US
• After singing this 3 times the earthquake ceased;
• Another different version by Liber Heraclidis (A.D. 451-539);
• According to this the hymn originated as disproof of the Monophysite
doctrine;

8. The Trisagion - Conclusion
• Trisagion = God’s “immortality”;
• “immortality” = is NOT found in any Sacred Scripture;
• “immortality” = is NOT found in any ancient formulae prayer;
• Trisagion is purely Christological hymn;
• Trisagion is incorporated into Liturgy sometimes between A.D. 430 and 450;
• To banish heretical Nestorius;
• In use was established during the time of Marcellinus Comes (A.D. 550)
• Fixed position in Liturgy was fixed in 8th century;