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Trinity Sunday – The Sanctus, A Majestic Anthem to the Blessed, Holy and Undivided Trinity of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost
The Rev’d Dr Peter Toon
Whitsuntide, 2001.
 

 

SANCTUS, SANCTUS, SANCTUS, DOMINUS DEUS SABAOTH. PLENI  SUNT COELI  ET  TERRA GLORIA TUA.

 

HOLY, HOLY. HOLY, LORD GOD OF HOSTS. HEAVEN AND EARTH ARE FULL OF THY GLORY.

 

In the traditional Eucharistic Prayer the Sanctus is found [from early times] after the SURSUM CORDA [and PROPER PREFACE] and before the CANON [the prayer of consecration].

The primitive Church took over the Sanctus from the worship of the Jewish synagogue and did so because (a) the Sanctus is a majestic hymn sung in heaven by God’s servants the angels; (b) the Sanctus is found in both the Old Testament [Isaiah 6] and the New Testament [Revelation 4]; (c) it witnesses to the Tri-Unity of the LORD [“I am that I am”] as Three Persons.

Therefore, while the Sanctus is sung at each Eucharist, it has a special relevance on Trinity Sunday.  And in the Eucharistic Lectionary of the 1979 Prayer Book of the Episcopal Church,  the Sanctus is found both in the Old Testament reading and in the lesson appointed for the Epistle. In the classic BCP it occurs in the lesson appointed for the Epistle.

Isaiah 6:    “Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.” 

Revelation 4:   “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.”

What the assembled congregation is doing when the anthem, Sanctus, is being sung is  joining the angelic hosts of the invisible created order [heaven] in naming, adoring, praising and declaring the three Persons of the Undivided Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost, to be HOLY –unique in awesome purity and glory.

It is a fulfilling of the first petition of the Lord’s Prayer: “Hallowed be thy Name.”

Holy is the Father, Holy is the only-begotten Son and Holy is the Holy Ghost, Blessed Trinity & One God, who is the LORD.

 The one, true and living God who revealed himself to Moses at the burning bush that was not consumed is the LORD [“I am that I am”];  and furthermore he is the Lord of hosts [of the myriad orders of angels and archangels, seraphim and cherubim].

The Revelation of the Blessed Trinity of Persons came from the Lord Jesus himself in his great commission [Matthew 28] to his apostles/disciples.  “Go into all the world………baptizing them in the Name [the LORD,” I am that I am”] of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.”   Thus the Christian life begins in conversion and baptism into union with the Lord Jesus in the Name of the Holy Trinity.

When this wonderful  purpose of the Sanctus  in the Eucharist  is recognized then the dogma that is expressed as doxology in the traditional Preface for Trinity Sunday  can be heard in adoring appreciation  of the LORD, who is the Father with His only begotten Son and with His Holy Ghost.

In the traditional Latin Mass of the Western Church this Preface in translation reads:

"It is very meet, right, just, and our bounden duty that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto Thee, O Lord Holy Father Almighty, everlasting God, Who with Thy only Begotten Son and The Holy Ghost art one God, art one Lord, not one only Person, but three Persons in one substance.  For that which we believe of Thy Glory which Thou hast revealed, the same do we believe of Thy Son, and of the Holy Ghost, without difference or inequality: that in the confession of a true and everlasting Godhead both Distinction in the Persons, and Unity in Being, and Equality in Majesty, be worshipped: which Angels and Archangels praise, Cherubim also and Seraphim, Who cease not to cry with one voice, saying, ... "

Certainly there is great depth and richness in this language as it seeks to praise the MYSTERY that is God, the LORD, the Trinity. And it is good that we are presented with such profound language and ideas at least on one Sunday of the year.

But we also encounter the Blessed Trinity in a more dynamic and narrative form when we read the Bible and participate in Christian worship and the Sacraments.

For the basis of the biblical drama of creation and redemption is that it begins with the Father  and then returns to the Father as the First Person of the Holy Trinity. Creation, revelation and redemption/salvation are FROM the Father through the Son [the Word Incarnate] and by the Holy Ghost. It is the Father who sends the Son and the Holy Spirit into the world. And then it is the people who are redeemed by the Son and sanctified by the Spirit, address their worship, prayers and service TO the Father, through the Son (in whom they are incorporated) by the Holy Ghost (who indwells them and sanctifies them).

Holy is the Father, Holy is His only-begotten Son and Holy is his Holy Spirit, one God and one Lord, the Blessed Trinity.

Reflections for Trinity Sunday and the Trinity Season