The Trinity in the hymn of the Seraphim; Angels: Day 052

The Trinity in the hymn of the Seraphim

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts,” we sing with the Seraphim (Isa. 6:3). St. Ambrose sees a proclamation of the Trinity in that heavenly hymn.

The Father is holy. The Son is holy. The Spirit is holy. But they are not three holies. There is only one Holy God, one Lord. The true holiness is one, as the true Godhead is one. The true holiness of the divine nature is one.

Everything we call holy proclaims that one Holiness. Cherubim and Seraphim praise him with unwearied voices, saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts.” They do not say it once, which might make us think there was only one, and not twice, which might exclude the Spirit. They do not say “holies are,” which might make us think there was a plurality. But they repeat the same word three times, so that even in a hymn you can understand the distinction of the Persons in the Trinity, and the oneness of the Godhead. And while they say this they proclaim God. –St. Ambrose, On the Holy Spirit, 3.16

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

St. Ambrose seems to think that doctrine matters. It is important even to the Seraphim. Do I make an effort to understand what the Church teaches about the nature of God?

CLOSING PRAYER

Glory be to you, O Lord Almighty. The innumerable hosts of Angels, Archangels, Thrones, Dominions, Principalities, Authorities, and Powers adore you. The Cherubim and the six- winged Seraphim, with two covering their feet, two covering their heads, and with two flying, say, “Holy,  holy, holy, Lord of hosts, Heaven and Earth are full of your glory.”

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