The Hours and Their Liturgical Meaning
by Subdeacon Joseph Zurmuehl

FIRST HOUR:
The First Hour is read immediately following Matins of the Vigil. In the
First Hour we thank God for the light of day and pray to Him that the day
will pass without sin. According to ecclesiastical reckoning, the First
Hour corresponds to Seven O' Clock in the morning.

Psalms 5, 89 and 100 are read during the First Hour, along with the
troparion and Kontakian of the day in the appointed tone, along with any
particular Saint or Feast of the Church that is being celebrated. There
are also Hymns to the Theotokos and the Trisagion Prayers. During Great
Lent additional prayers (such as the prayer of St. Ephriam the Syrian)
are usually added, depending on parish usage.

THIRD HOUR:
The Third Hour is read in combination with the Sixth Hour before the
Divine Liturgy while the Priest is preparing the Proskomedie. The Third
Hour commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles on the
day of Pentecost. The Third Hour corresponds to Nine O'clock in the
morning. In some parishes, the bell is rung three times, with three
representing the Holy Trinity.

Psalms 16, 24 and 50 are read during the Third Hour. The structure of
the Third Hour is the same as that of the other Hours.

SIXTH HOUR:
The Sixth Hour is the second of the Hours that is read in preparation of
the Divine Liturgy. When the Sixth Hour has begun, the bell is rung six
times, and the Altar Curtain is drawn, and the Priest or Deacon does the
full censing of the Altar and the Temple. The Sixth Hour corresponds to
Twelve Noon, commemorating the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Psalms 53, 54 and 90 are read in this Hour, along with the normal form
of prayers. At Hierarchic Liturgies, Readers are Tonsured and Subdeacons
are Ordained either during the Third or the Sixth Hour depending on local
practice.

NINTH HOUR:
The Ninth Hour is normally read during the weekdays of the Great Fast.
It is followed by the Typical Psalms that are read before the Pre
sanctified Liturgy.

Psalms 83, 84 and 85 are read along with the normal form of
prayers that are found in the Hours. The Ninth Hour, corresponding to
Three in the afternoon, commemorates the death of our Savior upon the
Cross.

It is important that all be present for the reading of the Hours, since
they are an integral part of the Service.

Subdeacon Joseph Zurmuehl