GOOD FRIDAY / FRIDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD

14 April 2017





TRISAGION (Greek)
Agios o Theos, Agios ischyros, Agios athanatos, eleison imas.

TRISAGION (Latin)
Sanctus Deus, Sanctus Fortis, Sanctus Immortális, miserére nobis.


TRISAGION (English)
Holy God, Holy Strong, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

...or...
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us.

ABOUT THE TRISAGION:

- The Trisagion (Greek: Τρισάγιον "Thrice Holy"), sometimes called by its opening line Agios O Theos, is a standard hymn of the Divine Liturgy in most of the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Catholic churches. The Latin name Tersanctus or Ter Sanctus is sometimes used to refer to this hymn, although this name is also sometimes used to refer to the Sanctus; it is the latter, a different formula, which is used in Western Christianity in the Mass
- in this hymn God is described Holy in three different qualities
- an ancient hymn believed by some to date back to the time of Christ's Crucifixion - of Apostolic origin.
- THE ANGELS SING: One tradition tells of a violent earthquake in Constantinople (5c). During prayer for heavenly assistance, the Emperor and Patriarch saw a child lifted into midair. All cried out Kyrie eleison (Lord have mercy) As the child descended to earth he cried out he had heard the angels sing: 'Holy God, Holy and Strong, Holy and Immortal'. After giving this exhortation and telling the people to pray the same words, the child died and the earthquake ceased.
- DATING FROM BEFORE 451: This hymn was one of the exclamations at the Council of Chalcedon (451). It is recorded as a common prayer, not only in the Greek Oriental Liturgies but also used in the Gallican Liturgy (see Saint Germain of Paris, D 576) where it suggests it was a traditional / common prayer form with its roots in ancient Liturgies dating back to the time of the apostles.
- WHEN CHRIST DIED: The Coptic Orthodox Church believes it originated with Nicodemus, while on taking down the body of Christ with Joseph of Arimathea, Jesus opened his eyes. He shouted "Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal". Traditionally, it is also considered proof that his Divinity did not part from his humanity.

- info. source links:
--- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trisagion
--- http://www.rosaryworkshop.com/CHAPLETS-CDTR-Trinitarian-trisagion.html
- video link with Greek and Latin lyrics (posted by Stephan George- "Gregorian chant notation from the Liber Usualis (1961), pp. 737-738. Greek and Latin lyrics sung by the Benedictine nuns of the Abbey of Notre Dame (d'Argentan).": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW32lLNDa4k


CHRISTUS FACTUS EST (Latin)
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christus_factus_est

Christus factus est pro nobis obediens
usque ad mortem, mortem autem crucis.
Propter quod et Deus exaltavit illum et dedit illi nomen,
quod est super omne nomen.


CHRISTUS FACTUS EST (English translation)
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christus_factus_est
Christ became obedient for us unto death,
even to the death, death on the cross.
Therefore God exalted Him and gave Him a name
which is above all names.


ABOUT CHRISTUS FACTUS EST:
- Good Friday antiphon
- In the Catholic liturgy it used as Gregorian gradual on Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. The melody is found in the Graduale Romanum, 1974, p. 148. Over the centuries the text has been set in music by several composers.
- info. source/link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christus_factus_est
- video link with Latin lyrics (posted by Stephan George- "Gregorian chant notation from the Liber Usualis (1961), p. 659. Latin lyrics sung by the Choeur Gregorien de Paris."): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULEVFGx9eqE