Following the Third Antiphon, the cantor and the people sing the tropars and kondaks proper to the day.)
PRAYER OF THE THRICE HOLY GOD
PRIEST (silently): O holy God abiding in the saints, praised by the thrice-holy hymn of the Seraphim, glorified by the Cherubim and adored by all the heavenly powers, You brought all things out of nothingness into being, and created man to Your own image and likeness, and adorned him with Your every gift; You give wisdom and under standing to him who asks, and despising not the sinner, You ordain repentance for salvation. You have allowed us, Your humble and unworthy servants, to stand at this time before the glory of Your holy altar and to offer to You due adoration and praise. Accept, O Master, from the lips of us sinners the thrice holy hymn, and visit us in Your goodness. Forgive us every offense voluntary and involuntary, sanctify our souls and bodies and grant that we may serve You in holiness all the days of our life; through the prayers of the holy Mother of God and all the saints, who have pleased You throughout the ages.
PRIEST: For You, our God are Holy, and to You we give glory, to the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever.
PEOPLE: Amen.
THRICE-HOLY HYMN
PEOPLE: Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us. (3 times)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us.
The Thrice-Holy Hymn is the portion of the Divine Liturgy where even the most reluctant will sing with full voice. Perhaps because it is simple or repetitive, but it is wonderful to hear everyone singing. Participation in the Mass means different things to different people. Showing up is the first step. Really praying is the next step. Joining in the physical postures of the Mass with fellow believers would be next- making the sign of the cross, standing, sitting, kneeling. Singing, no matter how well or badly, is an important part of our Divine Liturgy. For myself, it is an essential part. I don't sing as well as I did in the past because I suffered with vocal nodules and now one paralyzed vocal chord, but I still sing. This portion of the Divine Liturgy is a favorite because everyone tends to join in singing. It is simple enough for the children to sing as well. There is nothing cuter than a four year old singing this short hymn!
"It is simple enough for the children to sing as well. There is nothing cuter than a four year old singing this short hymn!"
ReplyDeleteYES! There is a sibling set at our parish who sing this part QUITE loudly, but clearly, when it's time for this. Even the "baby" (2 yrs old) has started joining in. It's adorable.