Prayer · Christian practice
Trisagion
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us
Ἅγιος ὁ Θεός, Ἅγιος ἰσχυρός, Ἅγιος ἀθάνατος, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς.
Hagios ho Theos, Hagios ischyros, Hagios athanatos, eleēson hēmas
The Thrice-Holy hymn, sung at the entrance of the Divine Liturgy and at the start of Orthodox prayers generally. Three names for God, each preceded by 'Holy', and then one petition.
Source: Eastern liturgies from the 5th c.; Byzantine Divine Liturgy
Traditionally said three times, rather than counted on beads.
Not counted on beads
How many times
Traditionally said three times.
Japa counts this one without a mala: a plain daily number rather than a ring of beads, with the words kept in view while you say them. Counting is unlimited and free.
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What the words say
Hagios — holy — three times: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal. Many readings take the three as addressing the Trinity; others take them as three attributes of the one God, and the question was argued sharply. Eleēson hēmas closes it: have mercy on us, the same verb as the Kyrie.
Where it comes from
Attested in Constantinople by the fifth century and recorded at the Council of Chalcedon in 451. Adding 'who was crucified for us' — the Theopaschite addition made in Antioch — became a point of serious division between Chalcedonian and non-Chalcedonian churches.
How it is practised
Sung three times in the liturgy, and opens the set of introductory prayers used at the start of Orthodox services and private prayer.
References
- Byzantine Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom
- Council of Chalcedon (451), session records
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