Qudus Allah, Part 1
His Holiness speaks about the Trisagion hymn (“Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal”), which is repeated in the Coptic Orthodox Church prayers—during the liturgy, the Agpeya hours, funerals, monastic ordinations, and especially on Good Friday with a deep, solemn tune.
Meaning of “Holy God”
He explains that God alone is Holy, as written in Revelation: “For You alone are holy.” This affirms Christ’s divinity, for He is called “the Holy One born of you shall be called the Son of God.” “Holy” is one of God’s divine names, expressing His perfect purity and freedom from sin.
Holiness in Human Life
Humans are also called holy because they are made in God’s image, sanctified by Christ’s blood and the Holy Spirit dwelling within. Thus, early Christians were called “saints,” and in the liturgy we hear “the Holies for the holy.” This holiness is required of all, as the Bible says: “Be holy, for I am holy.”
Sanctifying God’s Name and His House
Pope Shenouda emphasizes that God’s name must be spoken with reverence, and that His house, His book, and His vessels are sacred. Respecting these things reflects our reverence for God Himself, whose holiness fills everything that belongs to Him.
Difference between God’s and Man’s Holiness
God’s holiness is natural and absolute, while man’s holiness is acquired through struggle and resistance to sin. God’s holiness is infinite; man’s is limited but grows by grace through repentance and spiritual effort.
Holiness and Salvation
He stresses that the Scripture says: “Without holiness no one shall see the Lord.” Thus, holiness is essential for eternal life. The Trisagion is prayed in funerals to acknowledge that only God is holy, while man pleads for mercy and forgiveness.
The Holiness of Christ the Redeemer
Christ was holy in every stage—holy in His virgin birth, holy in His sinless death, and holy in His resurrection and ascension, being the first of the saints who entered heaven. His holiness brings redemption to all humanity.
Humility before Divine Holiness
Realizing God’s holiness should bring the soul to deep humility and repentance, like Isaiah who, upon hearing the seraphim’s hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy,” cried out: “Woe is me, for I am a man of unclean lips.”
Conclusion
Holiness is a continuous journey of repentance, purity, and renewal by the Holy Spirit. When we say “Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal,” we proclaim our faith in the Holy Trinity and seek mercy from the One who alone is without sin.
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