The Sanctus, which is Latin for “holy,” brings together the heavenly song of the angels sung in Isaiah 6:3 and the earthly song of the crowd sung in Matthew 21:9 at Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

Sabaoth is Hebrew for “heavenly hosts.” Hosanna is Hebrew for “save us now.” In the Sanctus we join all those in heaven with songs of praise and adoration, for the One who comes in the name of the Lord, Jesus, who gave His body and shed His blood on the cross that we may eat of it and be saved, the glory of God filling both heaven and earth (Isaiah 6:2-3; Matthew 21:9; Psalm 118:25-29).

The Sanctus first appeared in the eucharistic liturgy in 360 AD and was a mainstay by the end of the fourth century.