The Most Holy Trinity
Discover the Jewish roots of the early Church and how the Trinity is woven through Scripture and the Divine Liturgy.
For centuries, Christians were primarily viewed as a sect within Judaism. Toward the end of the second chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, the early followers are described as devoting themselves to the teaching of the Apostles, worshipping in the temple, and sharing meals in their homes. They had not abandoned their faith — they continued their customs while fostering a new communal life.
The Evolution of the Mass and Scripture
Although the term “Mass” is not explicitly named in the Bible, the reality is reflected in the Breaking of Bread. At the Mystical Supper, Jesus instructed His followers to “do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19). When the Church carried on after Christ’s ascension, many believed it represented the fullness of Judaism. (To grasp what it means to truly follow Him, read A Call to Discipleship.) In those early days:
- There was no catechism or New Testament yet. The Church herself later authored it — through Paul, Peter, James, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
- “Scripture” meant the Old Testament. The term referred to what we now call the Torah and the Prophets.
- Christians had many names. They were also called Nazarenes (followers of Jesus of Nazareth) and B’nai B’rith (children of the covenant).
In the early centuries, the Church faced great heresies such as Nestorianism and Arianism. In response, the Nicene Creed was established at the First Council of Nicea in 325, firmly affirming belief in one God, expressed in a Trinitarian manner.
Glimpses of the Trinity in Scripture
The Trinity is woven through the Bible from the very beginning:
- Genesis 1:26 — “Let us make man in our image.”
- Genesis 18 — three visitors approach Abraham, whom he welcomes as “my Lord.”
- Isaiah 6 — the seraphim sing “Holy, holy, holy,” three times in reverence.
- Matthew 3:17 — at Christ’s baptism the Father’s voice is heard while the Spirit descends as a dove.
Isaiah 6:3Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts.
The Trinity in Worship and Tradition
If you asked a Jewish person to define their faith, they might recite the Shema: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One” (Deuteronomy 6:4). Christians worship that same one God — in three persons. St. Patrick famously taught this to the Celts with a shamrock: however many leaves he tore, it remained one single leaf.
We see this beautifully in the Divine Liturgy. During the Anaphora, the first part addresses God the Father, while the Consecration — chanted in Syriac-Aramaic — speaks the words of God the Son. Then the priest invokes the Holy Spirit, fluttering his hands like a dove. It is the Holy Spirit who transforms the bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
Recognizing God in Our Daily Lives
Jesus revealed God’s true name as Abba — “Daddy” — offering a fresh vision of the Father as a loving presence in our lives. Through His death and resurrection we find salvation, and through baptism we become His brothers and sisters, able to call God “our Father.”
Let us be more aware of the Most Holy Trinity in our lives. The Holy Spirit guides us in prayer, calms our fears, helps us understand God’s will, and instills courage. It is time to recognize that God is actively present in our daily lives.
Chorbishop Don Sawyer — known warmly as Abouna Don — has spent a lifetime teaching the faith. His gift is making the rich tradition of the Church feel like a conversation across the kitchen table.
