Monday, September 07, 2020

The Orthodox Study Bible: Trisagion

The Orthodox Study Bible: Trisagion

The Orthodox Study Bible, New Testament and Psalms, (1993) Saint Athanasius Orthodox Academy, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee. 

I am a Reformed theologian and philosopher of religion. I do not attend a church within Orthodoxy. My review of this fine academic text continues: Within this Bible there is a Glossary from Reverend John W. Morris, Ph.D.

Trisagion

It is defined as 'Literally. "Thrice Holy.". (809). 'The biblical Trisagion, "Holy, Holy. Holy," is the hymn of the angels before the throne of God. (Is.6:1-5); Rev: 4:8), and is one of the most important hymns of the Divine Liturgy. In the Tradition of the Church, this hymn has been amplified into the Trisagion frequently sung during services and said during prayers: "Holy God, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us." (809). 

Further...

'The biblical use of "Holy" three times is an indication of the three Persons in the Godhead.' (809).

Wikipedia 

Cited 

'The Trisagion (Greek: Τρισάγιον "Thrice Holy").'

Orthodox Prayer.org

Cited

Trisagion Prayer 

Holy God. Holy Mighty. Holy Immortal Have mercy on us.(3) 

Glory to the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen 

All Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for the glory of Your Name. Lord, have mercy.(3)

Glory to the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen

Comments

This brief article allows me to learn some more Eastern Orthodox, theological terminology and share it publicly. I appreciate the trinitarian teaching that takes place within the trisagion as liturgy. 

Jesus Christ as God incarnate died on the cross for human sin, with the atonement for humanity, chosen humanity (Ephesians 1-2, Romans 8-9). He was resurrected and those in him will be resurrected (1 Corinthians 15, 1 Thessalonians 4).

Colossians 2:9-10 (Him is Jesus Christ) 'New American Standard Bible (NASB) 

9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 10 and in Him you have been made [a]complete, and He is the head [b]over all rule and authority; Footnotes: a Colossians 2:10 Lit full b Colossians 2:10 Lit of ' 

N.T. Wright explains in regard to Colossians 2: 9-10, it is an continuation of 1:19 (109), 'for all the fulness to dwell in him.' (NASB). 'He is uniquely God's presence and his very self'. (109). Wright reasons that Paul is teaching monotheistic doctrine here and not that Jesus Christ is a second deity. (109). Christ is the embodiment of full deity. (109). God the Son, is not a second deity, God the Holy Spirit is not a third deity. The Holy Spirit as God, regenerates those within salvation (Titus 3: 5).

Rare public appearance with
a mask, as opposed to simply being
socially distant. P.S. I am not
working on a 'dome'! This photo
does not amplify my short,
hopefully stylish
hair.

The Orthodox Study Bible, New Testament and Psalms, (1993) Saint Athanasius Orthodox Academy, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee. 

WRIGHT, N.T., Colossians and Philemon, (1986)(1989), IVP, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids.