An Exposition of the Orthodox Faith 54

1 BOOK III — CHAPTER 10: Concerning the Trisagium (the Thrice Holy).

2 We hold the words Holy God to refer to the Father, without limiting the title of divinity to Him alone, but acknowledging also as God the Son and the Holy Spirit: and the words Holy and Mighty we ascribe to the Son, without stripping the Father and the Holy Spirit of might: and the words Holy and Immortal we attribute to the Holy Spirit, without depriving the Father and the Son of immortality. For, indeed, we apply all the divine names simply and unconditionally to each of the subsistences.

3 For that the Trisagium refers not to the Son alone, but to the Holy Trinity, the divine and saintly Athanasius and Basil and Gregory, and all the band of the divinely-inspired Fathers bear witness: because, as a matter of fact, by the threefold holiness the Holy Seraphim suggest to us the three subsistences of the superessential Godhead. But by the one Lordship they denote the one essence and dominion of the supremely-divine Trinity.

4 But we say it thus, though demons should rend us in pieces: Do Thou, Holy God, Holy and Mighty One, Holy and Immortal One, have mercy upon us.