0326B TRISAGION HYMN (SONG OF THE WEEK)

TRISAGION HYMN (FEATURING TITUS CHAPMAN)

[About twenty years ago, a group of students and former students and friends got together at the invitation of Dustin Shell to produce a few of my songs. I am blessed by this collaboration and support. I have better friends than I deserve.]

This is one of the most ancient extant hymns, with a powerful prayer that is part of the liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, and is the text sung and prayed in Orthodox churches at the beginning of every gathering. We used it in our family worship times with children and grandchildren for a few years. This recording is cut off near the end, but the raw emotional expression of my dear friend Titus Chapman makes it worth the inconvenience. Trisagion is Greek for "Three Times Holy."

Holy God

Holy Mighty

Holy Immortal One

Have mercy on us

Have mercy on us

Have mercy on us

Have mercy.

"O our God, Holy of Holies, O only holy one, who rest among the saints, in whom is that glory which cannot be surpassed or equalled by any other. Holy are You who made everything merely with Your word. Holy are You whom the four-formed living beings worship with unceasing voice. Holy are You who are adored and praised by the angels and archangels who hover before Your invisible presence. Holy are you who never sleep to behold and hear the never-silent praise of the many-eyes cherubim. Holy are you who are borne aloft on the six-winged seraphim as they hover about singing the victory hymn. Holy are You whom the principalities and powers and dominions adore in heaven while we praise You and serve You on earth. In Your love for us, accept from our sinful mouths this thrice-holy hymn and grant us Your abundant rich mercy and compassion. For the sake of all your saints who have pleased You from the beginning. For You are holy, O our God.