When do we say the response, “One is the Holy Father, One is the Holy Son, One is the Holy Spirit. Amen”?
By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-08
The response "One is the Holy Father, One is the Holy Son, One is the Holy Spirit. Amen" (in Coptic: Ⲉⲓⲥ ⲟϩⲓ ⲡⲁⲧⲏⲣ ⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ: ⲉⲓⲥ ⲟϩⲓ ⲩⲓⲟⲥ ⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ: ⲉⲛ ⲡⲛⲉⲩⲙⲁ ⲁⲅⲓⲟⲛ: ⲁⲙⲏⲛ - Is ochi Patir Agios, is ochi Yios Agios, en Pneuma Agion, Amin) is said during the Divine Liturgy, specifically at the conclusion of the Confession and just before the Distribution of the Holy Mysteries (Communion).
The Liturgical Context
After the priest concludes the final Confession—where he declares his faith that the bread and wine have truly become the Body and Blood of ⲓⲏⲥⲟⲩⲥ ⲡⲭⲣⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ (Jesus Christ)—he lifts the ⲇⲓⲥⲕⲟⲥ (Paten/Diskos), and the congregation or the deacon responds with this specific declaration.
Theological Meaning
This response is a profound declaration of the Unity and Holiness of the Holy Trinity. In the presence of the Holy Sacraments, the Church acknowledges that only God is truly Holy (ⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ). By saying this, the faithful:
- Acknowledge Divine Holiness: Even as we prepare to receive the "Holy things for the holy" (ⲧⲁ ⲁⲅⲓⲁ ⲧⲟⲓⲥ ⲁⲅⲓⲟⲓⲥ), we confess that our holiness is derived solely from the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
- Affirm the Trinity: It reinforces the Orthodox dogma of the three distinct Persons in one Essence, especially as we prepare to unite with the Incarnate Word in the Eucharist.
Notable Cantors
If you are interested in hearing this response chanted in the traditional melodies, you can listen to recordings by esteemed Moalemeen such as:
- Moalem Ibrahim Ayad
- Moalem Gad Lewis
- Moalem Zaher Andrawes
- Moalem George Mikhail
- Moalem Mina Makar
- Moalem Milad Nady