Trishagion. Bóg po trzykroć Święty

Abstract

Based structurally on biblical texts of Isa 6:1-5, Ps 99 and Rev 4:2-8 the article contains a presentation of some aspects of God’s holiness. After discussing the phenomenological concept of separation (the sacred and the profane) and its influence on the biblical studies in the past the author gives a biblical explanation of the concept of holiness in regard to God (Hebr. qādos and other grammatical forms). The first is the notion of the power of God, his glory and his awesomeness. One might call this aspect of holiness the ‘otherness’ or ‘unapproachableness’ of God. However, the other quite different aspect of God’s holiness is his presence and his nearness to the chosen people, his vicinity or ‘approachableness’, first at all in the numerous signs of his glory (kābod). The third notion of holiness is that attributed not only to God, but also to people, places, things and seasons. As a result holy God calls as well all the people and the whole creation to cultic and moral sanctity (cf. Ex 19:2; 1 Pet 1:15-16). Afterward the author shows an influence of the Biblical Trishagion of Isa 6:3 on the structure of the Hermetic tractates, Poimandres (Chap. 31), and other liturgical texts of the Church. The concept of holiness plays a very important role in the books of Old and New Testament. In particular the holiness of God is to be understood not as one of his attributes but as his essential nature.