Morning
Morning Prayers: The Trisagion Prayers
“One called to another, and said, “Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of Armies! The whole earth is full of his glory!””Isaiah 6:3
Reflection
The Orthodox Church opens many of its services, and most of its prayers at home, with the same short set of prayers. They are often called the Trisagion Prayers, after the “thrice-holy” hymn at their centre: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal One. They are a good way to begin the day. Before we ask for anything, we call on the Holy Spirit to come and live in us, we praise the Holy Trinity, we ask for mercy, and we pray the prayer Christ himself gave us. Pray them slowly, standing if you can, and cross yourself as you are used to doing. If you have only two minutes this morning, these are enough. If you have more, let them be the doorway into the rest of your prayer. Text from Isabel Hapgood's Service Book (1906), lightly modernized. The Lord's Prayer is kept in its familiar traditional wording.
A prayer
Glory to you, our God; glory to you. O heavenly King, the Comforter, Spirit of Truth, who are in all places and fill all things; Treasury of good things and Giver of life: come and take up your abode in us, and cleanse us from every stain; and save our souls, O Good One. O Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us. O Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us. O Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. O all-holy Trinity, have mercy upon us. O Lord, wash away our sins. O Master, pardon our transgressions. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for your Name's sake. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the Evil One. O come, let us worship God our King. O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God. O come, let us worship and fall down before the very Christ, our King and our God.
Carry this with you
Choose one line to carry with you today, perhaps “save our souls, O Good One,” and return to it whenever you remember.