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Explaining the Christian liturgy to his students, St. Cyril of Jerusalem tells them that the “Sanctus”—the “Holy, Holy, Holy” hymn that we still sing in our liturgy—is our way of sharing in the eternal praise of the Seraphim who surround the throne of God.
After this, we mention heaven, earth, and sea; the sun and the moon; the stars and all creation, rational and irrational, visible and invisible; Angels, Archangels, Virtues, Dominions, Principalities, Powers, Thrones; the Cherubim with many faces. In effect, we repeat the call of David: “O magnify the Lord with me!” (Ps. 34:3). We also mention the Seraphim, whom Isaiah in the Holy Spirit saw standing around the throne of God: with two wings they veiled their faces, with two they veiled their feet, and with two they flew, crying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts” (Isa. 6:3).
We recite this confession of God, which has been handed down to us from the Seraphim, so that we may share with the hosts of the world above in their hymn of praise. –St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lecture 23
IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .
How does knowing that I’m joining the heavenly choir in praising God change my perception of the Mass? Does it make me want to be at Mass more often?
CLOSING PRAYER
Before the resplendent throne of your majesty, O Lord, the awe-inspiring seat of the strength of your love, and the altar of salvation that your will has established, in the land of your pasture, with thousands of Cherubim praising you, and ten thousands Seraphim sanctifying you, we draw near, adore, thank, and glorify you always, O Lord of all.
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