What is "tersanctus"

Sanctus \Sanc"tus\, n. [L. sanctus, p. p. of sancire.]

1. (Eccl.) A part of the Mass, or, in Protestant churches, a part of the communion service, of which the first words in Latin are Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus [Holy, holy, holy]; -- called also Tersanctus.

2. (Mus.) An anthem composed for these words.

   Sanctus bell, a small bell usually suspended in a bell cot at the apex of the nave roof, over the chancel arch, in medi[ae]val churches, but a hand bell is now often used; -- so called because rung at the singing of the sanctus, at the conclusion of the ordinary of the Mass, and again at the elevation of the host. Called also Mass bell, sacring bell, saints' bell, sance-bell, sancte bell.

Tersanctus \Ter*sanc"tus\, n. [L. ter thrice + sanctus holy.] (Eccl.) An ancient ascription of praise (containing the word ``Holy'' -- in its Latin form, ``Sanctus'' -- thrice repeated), used in the Mass of the Roman Catholic Church and before the prayer of consecration in the communion service of the Church of England and the Protestant Episcopal Church. Cf. Trisagion.

Tersanctus or Ter Sanctus ( Latin for Thrice Holy) may refer to:

• " Sanctus" or Epinikios Hymnos, a hymn from Christian liturgy
• " Trisagion" or Agios O Theos, a standard hymn of the Divine Liturgy in most of the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Catholic churches