Anyone attending a church service in the Eastern churches (whether they be Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox or Eastern Catholic), will find the phrase KYRIE ELEISON (Greek: Κύριε ἐλέησον) or its equivalents in other languages to be the most oft-repeated phrase.
The various litanies, so popular in Eastern Christianity, generally have Lord, have mercy as their response, either singly or triply. Some petitions in these litanies will have twelve or even forty repetitions of the phrase as a response.
The phrase is the origin of the Jesus Prayer, beloved of Eastern Christians belonging to the Byzantine rite, and increasingly popular amongst Western Christians today.
Some deep meaning I'm sure, but put it down more to a cooler way of saying 'lawd have mercy!' :)
Anyone attending a church service in the Eastern churches (whether they be Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox or Eastern Catholic), will find the phrase KYRIE ELEISON (Greek: Κύριε ἐλέησον) or its equivalents in other languages to be the most oft-repeated phrase.
The various litanies, so popular in Eastern Christianity, generally have Lord, have mercy as their response, either singly or triply. Some petitions in these litanies will have twelve or even forty repetitions of the phrase as a response.
The phrase is the origin of the Jesus Prayer, beloved of Eastern Christians belonging to the Byzantine rite, and increasingly popular amongst Western Christians today.
Some deep meaning I'm sure, but put it down more to a cooler way of saying 'lawd have mercy!' :)