The Hours and the order of their reading

In the Old Testament the day was divided into four parts, into four hours (times), which comprised the First, Third, Sixth and Ninth Hours. At each of them a person was bound to perform certain prayers. The Hours are performed today too, but with another meaning.

The Old Testament service consisted chiefly of the reading and singing of psalms, and so the Christian Hours at first contained only psalms. Comparatively late, Christian prayers and hymns were brought into the Hours.

The First Hour covers 7, 8 and 9 o'clock of our time. This is the time when our Saviour Jesus Christ was led to Pilate. The First Hour is performed after Matins;

The Third Hour (10, 11, 12 o'clock) reminds us of the Saviour's trial and of His suffering before Pilate;

The Sixth Hour (1, 2, 3 o'clock) is the time when the Saviour took up the cross, went up to Golgotha and was crucified. The Third and Sixth Hours are read before the Liturgies of St John Chrysostom and St Basil the Great;

The Ninth Hour (4, 5, 6 o'clock) is the time when the crucified Jesus Christ gave up His spirit. These Hours are read on ordinary days before Vespers. The order of the Hours:

1. The beginning; 2. Three psalms; 3. Glory, both now, alleluia; 4. The troparion of the day and of the saint; 5. The theotokion; 6. The beginning prayers; 7. The kontakion of the day and of the saint; 8. “Lord, have mercy” 40 times; “O Thou who at all times…”; “Lord, have mercy” 3 times; Glory, both now; “More honourable than the cherubim…”; 9. The final prayer to the Lord.