"Kyrie, eleison" is Greek for "Lord, have mercy" — one of the oldest prayers of the Mass. Here's what it means, where it comes from in the Bible, and why it is still prayed in Greek.
Kyrie Eleison Meaning: What "Lord, Have Mercy" Means and Its Biblical Roots
In this session of The Mass Explained, Dr. Brant Pitre traces the Kyrie Eleison — sung or said in the penitential rite near the start of the liturgy — to its scriptural roots: the cry "Lord, have mercy on us" in the Greek Old Testament (Psalm 40; Isaiah 33) and, above all, the two blind men on the road from Jericho who call out to Jesus, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!" (Matthew 20:29–34). He then follows the prayer through the early Church — its place in the fourth-century so-called Clementine Liturgy, Pope St. Gregory the Great's sixth-century defense of the Kyrie, and its medieval development — and unfolds its mystical meaning in St. Augustine (our inner spiritual blindness) and St. Thomas Aquinas (the threefold Kyrie–Christe–Kyrie as a prayer to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit).
Key passages & sources examined: "Lord, have mercy" in the Greek Old Testament (Psalm 40:5; Isaiah 33:2); the healing of the two blind men near Jericho (Matthew 20:29–34); the fourth-century so-called Clementine Liturgy; Pope St. Gregory the Great on the Kyrie (Letters, A.D. 598); Amalar of Metz and the medieval "tropes"; St. Augustine (Sermon 88); and St. Thomas Aquinas on the Kyrie and the Trinity (Summa Theologiae III, q. 83).
What does "Kyrie eleison" mean in English? "Lord, have mercy." Kyrie means "Lord," eleison means "have mercy"; "Christe eleison" means "Christ, have mercy."
Why is the Kyrie said three times (Kyrie–Christe–Kyrie)? St. Thomas Aquinas saw the threefold pattern as a prayer addressed in turn to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Is "Lord, have mercy" in the Bible? Yes — in the Greek Old Testament (Psalm 40; Isaiah 33) and most vividly when the blind men near Jericho cry to Jesus, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!" (Matthew 20).
Where does the Kyrie come in the Mass? In the penitential rite of the Introductory Rites, just after the Confiteor.
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I told him I do not know what I would do without all the knowledge I have gained from this program. Period. Dr. Grant Pitre is phenomenal and an excellent teacher.
This video series helped me to more deeply enter into Mass. Understanding the biblical and historical context brings me attention back to the altar, even when the kiddos are at their most distracting!
This supported by doctrine study illuminates a personal struggle and provides the necessary coping mechanisms to overcome adversity. Doctor Brant has an exquisite methodology of presenting the material in an informative manner that keeps you engaged in the discussion.
Love this subscription. Dr Pitre’s explanations are so understandable and helpful. Michael in customer service is always available and quickly answers any questions I might have.
I told him I do not know what I would do without all the knowledge I have gained from this program. Period. Dr. Grant Pitre is phenomenal and an excellent teacher.
This video series helped me to more deeply enter into Mass. Understanding the biblical and historical context brings me attention back to the altar, even when the kiddos are at their most distracting!
This supported by doctrine study illuminates a personal struggle and provides the necessary coping mechanisms to overcome adversity. Doctor Brant has an exquisite methodology of presenting the material in an informative manner that keeps you engaged in the discussion.
Love this subscription. Dr Pitre’s explanations are so understandable and helpful. Michael in customer service is always available and quickly answers any questions I might have.
