Isaiah 6:3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The subsequent words further affirm this idea: “the whole earth is full of His glory.” Their precise prophecies hinted at the eventual knowledge that would fill the universe with God’s glory, for prior to and during the time these words were declared, not only was much of the world consumed by wickedness, but even the land of the Jews neglected to glorify God. The prophet himself testifies to this when he says, “Every day my name is glorified” (for your sake my name is blasphemed among the Gentiles) (Isaiah 52:5). When was the earth filled with His glory? It was at the moment this song was introduced to earth, when the inhabitants joined with the celestial beings in unity to present a common praise. However, if the Jew shamelessly defies this, let him reveal when the entire earth was filled with a glory rooted in divine knowledge. He cannot provide any evidence, no matter how many times he claims otherwise.

Recently, a heretic approached us amidst holy men and fathers, declaring (I mention this to avoid any misunderstanding): he claimed that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit constitute one deity, one power, one kingdom. He insists that we must eliminate from our prayers the phrase “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts,” which is a part of consecration rituals. He contends that if we do not remove these words, we are not true Christians. Can you perceive the blatant arrogance and folly of the devil? Can you see the root of this blasphemy? He aims to sever true worship, diminish the sacraments, and undermine faith. Notice the devil’s cleverness. He has manipulated the heretic to assert: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—one faith, one power, one kingdom. He mixed truth with deceit. When a lie seeks acceptance, it often appears to be founded on truth; lacking such a base, it is promptly rejected. To illustrate this, consider the example of Rahab the harlot, who, upon receiving the spies, was asked, “Have men come to you?” She responded, “Yes”—a truth at first; then she added, “but they went out”—this was the lie (Hab. 2:3-5). Had she claimed, “they did not go out,” her house would have been searched. She spoke the truth to build trust but added a lie to mislead. The devil operates similarly. When we questioned the heretic about why we should abandon the prayer of consecration, he replied that “the Lord of hosts” is not the name of God or the Father or Christ. Do you recognize the profane audacity? He fails to understand that Sabaoth refers not to God directly but signifies the Lord of armies. However, I digress; I must share the joyous news that the heretic has repented, converted, rejected the error, pledged his commitment, and has been welcomed into communion. What do the angels proclaim? They convey the very song that Satan attempted to distort. Please pay attention. The Cherubim do not merely utter, “Holy, holy, holy,” as we might, but they call to one another, for it is written, “they cried out to one another.” Thus, one exclaims “Holy,” followed by another, and then a third time. But do not be misled by their threefold expression into thinking there are three Gods. What does the declaration, “holy, holy, holy is the Lord,” convey? It signifies one Lord, one faith, one baptism. Just as verses in a psalm may be sung in alternation, so too do the heavenly hosts sing and praise in harmony. “The whole earth is full of His glory.” While one nation lacks glory, the far reaches of the earth are illuminated. These sacred words of the Lord, this royal proclamation, this divine mystery are what the devil’s lips aim to oust from the sanctuary.

Truly, He who has elevated our nature with such profound mysteries, who allows us to partake in unfathomable subjects, is holy. I am overwhelmed with fear and reverence at this song. Is it any wonder that I, being mortal and of the earth, am affected by this, especially when even the highest beings are filled with immense awe?

“They cried out to one another, saying, Holy, Holy, Holy.” Their proclamation signifies profound wonder; they do not merely chant but do so passionately and continuously. While luminous beings might astonish us only upon first glance, their brilliance typically fades with familiarity, as our eyes adjust to their presence. However, when we gaze upon the royal image freshly presented and radiant with color, we are struck with awe, but after a day or so, that astonishment diminishes. If we experience such a response to a mere royal image, how much more does this apply to the sunlight, which is the purest of all lights? Habit dulls our wonder towards all forms of beauty, yet with the glory of God, the opposite is true. The more the heavenly powers behold this glory, the deeper their amazement grows; thus they have never ceased in their exclamations of awe since their existence began. What we experience momentarily during a flash of lightning, they experience continually with delightful astonishment. Furthermore, they do not merely call out but do so in mutual exchange, showcasing their profound amazement. In our own experience of thunder or tremors, we not only react but also seek one another for comfort. The Seraphim similarly cry out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy.” Do you recognize this proclamation? Is it ours, or is it that of the Seraphim? It belongs to both, for Christ has bridged the gap between the heavenly and earthly realms, uniting them as one (Eph. 2:14). Before this song was known on earth, it existed only in heaven; but when the Lord chose to come to us, He brought this song with Him. Therefore, when this great high priest stands at the holy altar, performing the sacred rites and offering the bloodless sacrifice, he does not merely summon us to this praise; having first sung the song of the Cherubim and acknowledged the Seraphim, he urges all to join in this sacred proclamation, aiming to elevate our minds from earthly matters by reminding us of those celestial beings who sing alongside us. It is as though he beckons each of us: you shall sing with the Seraphim; join them, spread your wings with them, and soar near the royal throne. Is it any surprise that you stand with the Seraphim, when what they do not dare to touch, God has graciously permitted you to approach with safety?

Do you wish to understand how the heavenly beings address God, filled with awe, fear, and amazement? The prophet declares, “I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and exalted...” Surrounding Him stood the Seraphim, each with six wings: two to cover their faces, two to cover their feet, and two for flight. They called to one another, saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory.”

So, what is the subject of their discussion? Are they questioning the essence of God? No, they glorify Him, worship Him, and continually send forth praise and mysterious songs. Some proclaim, “Glory to God in the highest” (Luke 2:14), while the Seraphim cry, “Holy, Holy, Holy” (Isaiah 6:3), all the while turning their gaze down, unable to bear the fullness of God’s presence.

3:3), for the created order is always subject to corruption, marking the limitation inherent in beings that transition from non-existence to existence. Yet as I mentioned, the architect of all things, the embodiment of Wisdom, is seated, indicating the stability found in divine identity. The declaration to "fill the house with His glory" holds significance; for while Israel lived unholy against our Lord Jesus Christ, the glory of God filled the temple in Jerusalem. When they repudiated His reign, they fell into depravity and heard the declaration, “Your house is left to you desolate” (Matthew 23:38).

It is noted that each Seraph had six wings, using two to cover their faces, two to cover their feet, and with the remaining two, they flew. The term Seraphim is interpreted as burning or flaming, suggesting there is nothing cold among these heavenly beings, who are in close proximity to God. Conversely, we, who cling to Him through faith and strive to lead virtuous lives in accordance with His will, become fervent in spirit (Romans 12:11) and ablaze with love for God. The Seraphim covering their face and feet with wings and flying with the other two signifies that no one can grasp either the origin or the conclusion of thoughts or words concerning God; the head and face represent the beginning, while the feet symbolize the end. The Godhead is eternal; it has no origin or conclusion. We can barely comprehend more than what exists within temporal limitations, where the once and the not-being is actualized. They soar without fear of loss; instead, their focus is always directed upwards towards God. The higher beings do not contemplate earthly matters as we do, but rather dwell in the ineffable heights of thought. Their voices are filled with adoration; they alternate in praise, not out of fatigue but as a way of honoring one another in mutual respect. For all things above are characterized by order and well-being.

They repeatedly proclaim, “Holy,” concluding their exaltation with the proclamation, “Lord of hosts,” thereby alluding to the unity of the Godhead in the Holy Trinity: we certainly see here the recognition of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. No division exists among them that would imply a natural otherness; instead, the one Godhead is manifested in the three Hypostases. This is confirmed by the holy Seraphim themselves, who declare that the whole earth shall be filled with His glory, foreshadowing the future and anticipating the mystery of Christ’s complete house-building. Before the Word was made flesh (John 1:14), the malevolent tempter, the serpent, had dominion over the heavenly realms; the creation was worshipped rather than the Creator (Romans 1:25). When the only-begotten Word of God took on human form, His glory filled the earth; for every knee and every tribe will revere Him, and every tongue will confess and act in accordance with the Scriptures (Philippians 2:10, 11; Colossians 3:24, etc.). The blessed David also prophesied this in the spirit, declaring, “All the nations that Thou hast made shall come and worship before Thee, O Lord” (Psalm 85:9). This was fulfilled when the multitude of the nations were called and all bowed in worship to Him who became like us for our sake, while remaining exalted above all.

Just as in dim conditions the absence of light renders the eyes blind, hampering our ability to recognize the worthiness of things—wherein even gold and silver may be disregarded due to ignorance—so too is it impossible for rational beings to live according to divine order without the Spirit’s guidance. Just as an army cannot maintain discipline without its leader, nor can a choir remain harmonious without a conductor, how could the Seraphim proclaim ‘Holy, holy, holy’ unless they were instructed by the Spirit on the depth of such praise? Therefore, when all His Angels and Powers extol God, it is through the work of the Spirit that they do so. The countless angels who stand before Him, and the many that serve Him, act through the Spirit's power to execute their sacred duties faithfully. This extraordinary order, evident both in divine service and in the cooperation of earthly authorities, can only be upheld through the Spirit's governance. Hence, in creation, the Holy Spirit is not gradually bestowed but is perfect and complete from the very moment of creation, imparting the grace necessary to empower and fulfill every being.

When Moses pleaded with the Lord to spare the sinful people after their worship of the calf, God responded, "I have pardoned according to your words; but truly, as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord" (Num. 14:20-21). The psalmist confirms this, saying, "All the earth shall be filled with His glory" (Psalm 71:19). Consequently, the angels proclaimed to the shepherds, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men" (Luke 2:14).

Some interpret the two seraphim as representing the Son and the Holy Spirit; however, we hold that the Son of God is seen in divine splendor, and the Holy Spirit bears witness. Certain Latin interpretations view the seraphim as the Old and New Testaments, which testify to the present age alone. They note the seraphim's six wings, covering God's face and feet, demonstrating their fervent commitment to proclaiming the truth, illustrating the mysteries of the Trinity. They express wonder that the Lord of Hosts, depicted as the likeness of God the Father, chose to take the form of a servant and humbled Himself to death, even the death on a cross (Phil. 2:6-8), so that all creation, heavenly and earthly alike, acknowledges Him.

Furthermore, the seraphim proclaim together, beautifully stating, "one to another." The Old Testament writings resonate with the Gospel, and the truths derived from the Gospel align with the prophecies of the Old Testament: there is no contradiction between them. They declare, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God of Hosts" (Isaiah 6:3). Both the Old and New Covenants testify to the Trinity. Our Savior is also referred to as Sabaoth, an example being found in the twenty-third Psalm. The heavenly powers serving the Lord call to other celestial beings to open the gates for the returning Lord, as seen in "Lift up your heads, O gates, and be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of Glory may come in" (Psalm 24:7). Those inside behold Him in flesh and, struck by this new mystery, inquire, "Who is this King of Glory?" The response comes, "The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of Glory" (Psalm 24:10).

It is noteworthy that where the Septuagint uses terms like "The Lord of hosts" or "The Lord Almighty," the Hebrew corresponds to "The Lord of Hosts," affirming Aquila's translation. The name 'Lord' itself is composed of four letters, reflecting a profound divine title. "Fill the whole earth with His glory," say the Seraphim, prophesying how the coming of the Lord Savior and the preaching of His message will encompass the entire earth, carrying the voice of the Apostles to the utmost reaches of the world.

Thus, the Father is distinct, the Son is distinct, and the Holy Spirit is distinct. Therefore, the term Trinity refers to the hypostatic distinctions of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, while unity pertains to the essence of God.

The phrase ‘filled heaven and earth with His glory’ points to the understanding of the Most Holy Trinity—the Triune God—who, through Divine Providence, revealed Himself to humanity via the Angels and Apostles of Christ, reaching both the exalted and the humble. The expression of His glory underscores that there exists one glory of the Trinity, alongside one power, one will, and one action, resulting in one God in the Trinity.

This understanding is upheld not only by the Church Fathers and theologians but also by Jewish scholars (as noted in the theological works of M. Macarius regarding the doctrine of the Trinitarian God in Persons), who acknowledged the three Persons of the Godhead. The notion that the mystery of the Holy Trinity was not concealed from the faithful in Old Testament times is reinforced by the prophet Isaiah’s own proclamations. Reflecting on the Lord’s compassion towards the Israelites, Isaiah states: ‘In their great distress He (the Lord) did not forsake them, and the angel of His face saved them; but they were troubled and grieved His holy Spirit.’ The angel of His face signifies the Son of God, the second Person of the Holy Trinity, known as the angel of the great council. The Holy Spirit represents the third Person of the Trinity. According to John the Theologian, as previously noted, Isaiah witnessed the glory of Christ when he beheld the Lord of hosts, undoubtedly accompanied invisibly by God the Father. Additionally, as articulated by the Apostle Paul, Isaiah simultaneously heard the Holy Spirit (Acts 28:25). By invoking the title Lord of hosts (Lord of the heavenly powers), the seraphim extol His all-encompassing wisdom and might, which is evident in the celestial beings and the heavenly realms. Furthermore, by proclaiming: Fill the whole earth with His glory, the seraphim exalt the manifestation of God’s attributes throughout creation, reflected in the intricate design of the world and in the lives of its inhabitants.