Thrice Holy

Entrance with Trisagion Prayer in Ancient Greek

Trisagion from Greek, means thrice [tris] and holy [agios]. This Thrice Holy Prayer to the Holy Trinity is used during private prayer, and throughout the Church’s daily worship cycle.

Trisagion in English: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Trisagion in Greek Pronounced: Agios O Theos, Agios Eeskhiros, Agios Athanatos, eleison imas)

History and Miracle of the Trisagion Hymn

Above, the hosts of angels sing praise; below, men form choirs in the churches and imitate them by singing the same doxology. Above the Seraphim cry out the Trisagion Hymn; below, the human throng sends up the same cry. The inhabitants of heaven and earth are brought together in a common assembly; there is one thanksgiving, one shout of delight, one joyful chorus. ~ St. John Chrysostom

The unceasing and sanctifying doxology by the holy angels in the Trisagion signifies, in general, the equality in the way of life and conduct and the harmony in the divine praising which will take place in the age to come by both heavenly and earthly powers, when the human body now rendered immortal by the resurrection will no longer weigh down the soul by corruption and will not itself be weighed down but will take on, by the change into incorruption, potency and aptitude to receive God’s coming. In particular it signifies, for the faithful, the theological rivalry with the angels in faith; for the active ones, it symbolizes the splendor of life equal to the angels, so far as this is possible for men, and the persistence in the theological hymnology; for those who have knowledge, endless thoughts, hymns, and movements concerning the Godhead which are equal to the angels, so far as humanly possible. ~ St. Maximus the Confessor

Off-Grid in Cappadocia

Goreme, Cappadocia – 2006

Cappadocia is an ancient central region in Asia Minor, and an important centre of early Christianity. Unusual coloured pinnacles of soft volcanic rock, dot the hot and dusty Cappadocian landscape.

St. Basil the Great (330 – 379 AD), Bishop of Caesarea and Cappadocia is known as one of the (Three Hierarchs) Cappadocian Fathers who lived in the region, along with his brother Saint Gregory of Nyssa , and St. Gregory the Theologian.

Under the directive of St. Basil the Great, the early Christians began carving numerous cave churches, and monastic communities. These were hewn by hand, and the projects continued over the next 500 years. Vast networks of underground cities were also created by these tenacious inhabitants.

Many of the cave churches in Goreme retain their colourful iconography to this very day, and are a highlight to any visit to Cappadocia.

They that live in the wilderness, have an unquenchable longing for God, as they are far from the tumult of life… Hymn of the Ascents

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

Nativity scene painted on an oyster shell, from a dear friend.

Today the Creator of Time – the Timeless One – the Unoriginate – has a Beginning.

Today – the Word becomes Incarnate.

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

Greetings on the Joyous Feast of the Holy Nativity of Jesus Christ !

He was a Baby,
He was a Child,
So that you might be a
Perfect person;
He was wrapped
In swaddling clothes,
That you might be
Loosed from the snares of death;
He was in a manger,
That you might be
In the altar;
He was on earth,
That you might be
Among the stars.
He had no place at the inn,
That you might have
Many mansions in the Heavens.
~ St. Ambrose of Milan 339-397 A.D.

This day He who Is, is Born; and He
who Is becomes what He was not.
~ St. John Chrysostom 347-407 A.D.

Christ is born; Glorify Him! Christ comes from heaven; meet ye Him! Christ is on earth; be ye exalted! O all the earth, sing unto the Lord! And sing praises in gladness, O ye people, for He hath been glorified! ~ An ancient hymn composed by St. Gregory the Theologian (329 AD – 390 AD)

Greetings on this first day of Christmastide!

Give Good Gifts

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.~ James 1:17

Wholehearted gratitude helps our spirits flourish, and it behooves (such a delightful word!) us to do good things with the good gifts we are given!

It’s a Christian privilege and duty to be generous and kind to others. Even if all we have for someone is a smile… besides prayer, it could well be the most important gift to someone at that particular moment. It can lift their soul up. 

A smile says I care about you. It says I see you, I respect you, I see our Lord in you.

When we have sincere compassion for others, God notices and surprises us with many blessings, sometimes more than what we deserve.

…It is more blessed to give than to receive. ~ Acts 20:35

A beautiful 19th century hymn – Give Good Gifts comes to mind. Our youth choir has sung this “anytime” song throughout the year at different events. 

Give good gifts, one to another,

Peace, joy and comfort, gladly bestow,

Harbour no ill ‘gainst sister or brother,

Smooth life’s journey as you onward go!

(Repeat)   

                        

Broad as the sunshine, free as the showers,

So shed an influence, blessing to prove;

Give for the noblest of efforts your pow’rs;

Blest and be blest is the law of love.

(Repeat)

Mt. Lebanon N.Y.
 
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