# Trisagion

Source: https://coptic-lore-forge.lovable.app/wiki/trisagion — Coptic Orthodox Wiki (updated 2026-10-02)

The Trisagion, meaning “thrice-holy,” is a hymn used in Coptic worship, understood as addressed to Christ and sung or recited in forms that vary with the service and feast.[^1][^3]

## Name and character

The Trisagion takes its name from the Greek for “thrice-holy” and is a hymn used in Coptic worship. The whole hymn is understood as addressed to Christ.[^1][^3]

The Byzantine form repeats “Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us” three times, followed by the lesser doxology. The Coptic form includes clauses referring to Christ’s birth from a virgin, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension.[^1][^2]

## Text and languages

There is a ten-verse Coptic form, with verses 1–5 in Greek and verses 6–10 in Coptic. Its opening verse is translated: “Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, Who wast borne of a virgin, have mercy upon us.” The second and third verses repeat the holy acclamations with, respectively, “Who wast crucified for us” and “Who rose from the dead and ascended into the heavens.”[^2]

The fourth verse gives glory to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; the fifth petitions the Holy Trinity for mercy. The remaining verses ask for mercy and forgiveness, healing for the sick, rest for the departed, divine assistance, and acceptance of prayer, concluding with petitions for mercy and blessing.[^2]

## Liturgical use

Verses 1–10 are recited during the canonical hours, while verses 1–5 are sung in the Divine Liturgy before the prayer of the Gospel. The hymn also precedes that prayer in many other church services.[^3]

From Christmas Eve to the Feast of the Circumcision, the first verse is repeated three times and followed by verses four and five; the second and third verses are omitted.[^3]

In the consecration of an altar, the deacons sing the Trisagion after the Pauline reading, Hebrews 13:10–16. A priest then recites the intercession of the Gospel, followed by the reading from Matthew 16:13–19.[^4]

The Holy Friday burial hymn “Golgotha” preserves the words “Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, Who was crucified for us, have mercy upon us,” attributing this praise to Joseph and Nicodemus as they buried Christ.[^5]

## Historical accounts and traditions

There are different accounts concerning the hymn’s origin and the crucifixion clause. In the Byzantine tradition, the Trisagion came into use during the episcopate of Proclus of Constantinople (434–446). Peter the Fuller, patriarch of Antioch, is remembered for adding “Who wast crucified for us.”[^6]

A different tradition, recorded in the thirteenth century by Ibn Siba‘ in his *Kitab al-Jawharah*, places the acclamation at Christ’s burial. In this narrative, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus hear angels proclaiming the three holy acclamations; Christ opens His eyes, and the two men add “Who wast crucified for us, have mercy upon us.”[^7]

The crucifixion clause became a focus of controversy: one historical account describes riots in Constantinople against its liturgical use and subsequently reports that Emperor Anastasius was compelled to restore the Trisagion without the addition.[^9][^10]

## Traditional interpretation

Ibn Siba‘ explains the threefold repetition by reference to the Holy Trinity and the nine occurrences of “Holy” in the opening three verses by reference to the nine angelic orders. The account also describes the senior ecclesiastical dignitary present saying the first verse alone, with the people singing the remainder.[^8]

## Sources
[^1]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 7, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 592)
[^2]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 7, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 592)
[^3]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 7, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 592)
[^4]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 1, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 275)
[^5]: Understanding the Liturgy, Father Athanasius Iskander (p. 20)
[^6]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 7, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 592)
[^7]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 7, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 593)
[^8]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 7, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 593)
[^9]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 1, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 113)
[^10]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 1, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 114)