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It is easy to see how the display of the liturgy of earth is a visible reflection, an efficacious symbol, of the heavenly liturgy of the angels. This unity of the two cults is expressed by the liturgy itself in the Preface, where it invites the community of the Church to unite with the Thrones and the Dominations, the Cherubim and the Seraphim, to sing the angelic hymn of praise, the Thrice-Holy:

“Reflect upon whom it is that you are near, and with whom you are about to invoke God - the Cherubim. Think of the choirs you are about to enter. Let no one have any thought of earth [sursum corda], but let him lose himself of every earthly thing, and transport himself whole and entire into heaven. Let him abide there beside the very throne of glory, hovering with the Seraphim, and singing the most holy song of the God of glory and majesty.” 

Elsewhere St. John Chrysostom remarks that the Gloria in Excelsis is the chant of the lower angels. Even the catechumens are permitted to join in it. But the Sanctus is the chant of the Seraphim! It leads into the very sanctuary of the Trinity, and thus “it is reserved for the initiated, the baptized.”

Heilig, heilig, heilig de Heer, de God der hemelse machten.

Vol zijn hemel en aarde van uw heerlijkheid.
Hosanna in den hoge.

This chant of the Seraphim expresses holy fear. It describes the awe felt by even the highest creatures in the presence of the infinite divine excellence. And this enables us to understand better the holiness of the Eucharist, which leads us, with the Seraphim, into the presence of the all-holy God, hidden only by the fragile species of bread and wine.


~bron~