This article is the second in a series on liturgical sayings that are found in all or nearly all historic liturgies of the Church (see also “Understanding the Kyrie Eleison”). One of these sayings is “the Trisagion,” which means “Thrice Holy.” Fernando Ortega has a rendition of the Trisagion that he sang at the Gettys’ Sing! Conference this year (2026).
What It Is
The Trisagion (pronounced “triss-AY-gee-on”) is a hymn of prayer/praise that is sometimes said but is traditionally sung. It appears in several different forms:
Holy God,
Holy and mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
Or simply,
Holy God,
Holy mighty,
Holy Immortal,
Have mercy on us.
“Holy and mighty” is sometimes translated as “Holy and strong.”
Where It Comes From
The word “Trisagion” means “thrice holy” or “three times holy,” and it comes from the two places in the Bible where the word “holy” is repeated three times in a row in worship of God.
The first place is in Isaiah’s vision of the seraphim calling to one another, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” (Isa. 6:3).
The second place is in Revelation 4:8, where we read that the four living creatures never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”
Notice that in Revelation 4:8, it’s “holy … the Lord God”; “holy … Almighty”; “holy … who was and is and is to come” (who is immortal!). Thus the heart of the Trisagion: “Holy God, holy and mighty, holy immortal one.”
Like the Kyrie, this threefold form is implicitly Trinitarian. It’s as if the church is saying:
Holy God our Father,
Holy and mighty Son,
Holy and immortal Spirit.
And then recall that when Isaiah first saw the angels crying “holy, holy holy,” his response was one of deep contrition: “Woe is me! For I am lost” (Isa. 6:5). Our only hope in the presence of God’s powerful holiness is for him to have mercy on us. And so at the end of the Trisagion, the church repeats the first line of the Kyrie: “Have mercy upon us.”
The Trisagion is short and simple, but it’s thoroughly biblical, packed with meaning, and profoundly beautiful.
When It’s Used
In the Western Church, the Trisagion is primarily used in the Sunday Eucharist service and on Good Friday.
In the Book of Common Prayer, it’s said right after the Kyrie, which is itself right after the Summary of God’s Law. In other words, the church hears God’s holy law and responds by crying out for mercy and acknowledging God’s holiness.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Holy God,
Holy and mighty,
Holy immortal one,
Have mercy upon us.
The Trisagion is also said repeatedly on Good Friday in a powerful refrain called “The Reproaches.” If you aren’t familiar with this, it’s worth your attention. The Reproaches recall God’s many wonderful acts for the sake of his people but tell them from God or Christ’s perspective, asking his people why they have responded to his goodness by crucifying him. For example:
I opened the rock and gave you to drink from the water of life, and you have opened my side with a spear. I raised you on high with great power, and you have hanged me high upon the Cross. O my church, what have I done to you? How have I wearied you? Testify against me.
The church responds each time:
Holy God,
Holy and mighty,
Holy immortal one,
Have mercy upon us.
How Its Said or Sung
The Trisagion may be said or sung all together, or it may be said responsively (with the Minister saying “Holy God, Holy and mighty, Holy immortal one,” and the people responding, “Have mercy upon us”).
Here are a few examples of sung versions of the Trisagion:
I also strongly recommended setting aside 10 minutes in a quiet place to listen to John Sanders’ hauntingly beautiful rendition of The Reproaches for use on Good Friday.
