Qudus Allah Part 1

 in this lecture, speaks about the Trisagion hymn (“Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal”), which is prayed in every hour of the Agpeya. He explains its deep theological and spiritual meaning, why it is repeated in the liturgy, funerals, monastic ordinations, and Good Friday, showing that it is not merely liturgical words but a declaration of God’s holiness and a call for human holiness.

The Meaning of “Holy God”

The Pope explains that only God is holy by nature, as Scripture says, “For You alone are holy.” This becomes a defense of Christ’s divinity since Christ Himself was called “the Holy One born of you shall be called the Son of God,” affirming His divine equality with the Father.

The Holiness of Man

Man is called “saint” because he is created in God’s image, sanctified by Christ’s blood, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and partakes of the Holy Mysteries. Thus, believers are called “saints,” as St. Paul wrote, “Greet every saint in Christ Jesus.” Yet human holiness is acquired, not innate.

The Difference between God’s and Man’s Holiness

God’s holiness is natural and absolute, whereas man’s holiness is by struggle and limited, gained through spiritual warfare and striving against sin. God is holy by essence, being light unapproachable, while man strives toward holiness through repentance and humility.

Sanctification in the Life of Faith

The Pope teaches that everything related to God must be holy:

• The House of God is sacred and entered with reverence.

• The Holy Bible is read with awe as it is God’s own word.

• The vessels, altar, and sacraments are holy and reserved for the Lord.

• The angels are called holy as they stand before God without sin.

• The church is consecrated with holy chrism because it is a dwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Holiness and Salvation

The Pope stresses that “without holiness no one shall see the Lord.” Holiness is a condition for entering the heavenly Jerusalem, the holy city where no impurity may enter. Thus believers must continually seek purification of thought, body, and spirit.

The Hymn in Funerals and Ordinations

The Pope explains that “Holy God” is chanted in funerals in a mournful tone to acknowledge that only God is holy while all humans are sinners. The same is done at monastic ordinations as the monk begins a new life striving toward sinlessness.

Prayer for Mercy and Repentance

After “Holy God,” the Church prays: “Holy Trinity, have mercy on us,” because humanity has lost the divine image and become defiled by sin. This mercy means both freedom from the punishment of sin and freedom from the power of sin, that God may sanctify us anew.

A Practical Call

The lecture concludes with a call for every believer to live holiness daily—in actions, speech, and thought—remembering always that God is holy, and we are called to be like Him: “Be holy, for I am holy.”