Holy, Holy, Holy!

By Fr. Chuck Collins on June 14, 2019 in From Our Pastors, Worship

Some of our best theology is in song. The highest form of prayer is singing. Our opening hymn this coming Sunday, Trinity Sunday, is not only an invitation to praise, but an invitation to enter into the ongoing praise of heaven. Joining our voices with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, who forever sing Holy, Holy, Holy! From the 8th century B.C. when Isaiah encountered God in the Temple (6:3) to the anthem of song around the throne in Heaven (Revelation 4:8), this is in the hearts of the faithful. This hymn for me is a thin place. The Celts talked about the places, experiences, encounters that remind us of the thinness between us and them, the Communion of Saints. If we listen closely and sing intentionally, we can hear the hum of eternity’s praise: casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea. What we do Sunday by Sunday at Christ Church has heavenly consequences.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Who wert and art and ever more shall be.

Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man, Thy glory may not see;
Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,
Perfect in power, in love, and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth, and sky, and sea;
Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Chuck Collins
Interim Rector

 

Artwork:  This icon of the Holy Trinity was written by the Canadian artist, Janusz Charczuk, and a gift to the parish from parishioners.

The prototype for this icon is the mysterious appearance of the Holy Trinity in the form of three travelers to Abraham and Sarah. This particular image was chosen by the Church because of the way it expresses the dogma of the Holy Trinity: the three angels are depicted in equal dignity, symbolizing the triunity and equality of all three Persons.