The Trisagion (Thrice Holy) Prayer is an ancient prayer in Christianity going back to the fourth century, and is a standard hymn of the liturgy in the Greek Orthodox Churches.
It was chanted in Greek: Ἅγιος ὁ Θεός, Ἅγιος ἰσχυρός, Ἅγιος ἀθάνατος, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς.” In the book of Common Worship, it is translated as “Holy God, Holy and Strong, Holy and Immortal, have mercy upon us.” A more literal translation might be “Holy God, Holy Strong One, Holy Not-Death One, Have mercy on us.”
Hagios O Theos
Hagios Ischyros
Hagios Athanatos
Eleison Imas
A more literal translation might be:
Holy God
Holy Strong One
Holy Not Death One
Have Mercy On Us
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At a recent Wisdom School at Claymont, Deborah Rose taught some group movements to the chant. Some of these group movements have also been adapted for individual use while sitting.
When you chant and move with the prayer, you can also give voice to your own internal translation:
Holy, the Mystery – within you I live and move and have my being
Holy, the Strong One – in my weakness you are strong
Holy, the One Against Death – nothing in life or death shall separate me from your love
Have Mercy on Us – I have need of you. Help us.
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Here are some simplified movements that can be used by an individual while sitting.
The music can be found here: