Trisagion

Trisagion

See also: trisagion

English

Etymology

From Medieval Latin trisagion, from Byzantine Greek τρισάγιον (triságion), from τρίς (trís, “thrice”) + ἅγιον (hágion, “holy”).

Noun

Trisagion (plural Trisagia or Trisagions)

1. (Christianity) A liturgical prayer that runs “Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us” in English, typically sung before certain scriptural readings at Eucharistic liturgies in Eastern Christianity, and during the Good Friday Mass in the Roman Rite.
   • 1716, Thomas Browne, Christian Morals, 2nd edition edited by Samuel Johnson, London: J. Payne, 1756, Part I, p. 24,

     With these sure graces, while busy tongues are crying out for a drop of cold water, mutes may be in happiness, and sing the Trisagion in heaven.

Synonyms

• Tersanctus

Anagrams

• rigatonis