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The Lenten Hours

 

The Hours are brief prayer services that mark the principal hours of the day.

 

First Hour corresponds to daybreak (6:00 a.m.).

 

Third Hour corresponds to mid-morning (9:00 a.m.)

 

Sixth Hour corresponds to mid-day (12:00 noon)

 

Ninth Hour corresponds to mid-afternoon (3:00 p.m.)

 

These services, together with the other services of the Daily Cycle, are contained in a bound collection called the Book of Hours, also known as the Horologion (Greek).

 

Each of the services of the Hours shares the same structure.

• The service opens with the priest's exclamation Blessed is our God ... and the Trisagion Prayers. (Note: this opening sequence is omitted if the service immediately follows another service.)

 

• Three chapters from the Psalter appointed for the particular Hour are read (First Hour: Psalms5, 89, 100; Third Hour: Psalms 16, 24, 50; Sixth Hour: Psalms 53, 54, 90; Ninth Hour: Psalms 83, 84, 85)

 

• The troprion of the day is chanted.

 

• The theotokion and Psalm verses of the Hour are chanted.

 

• The Trisagion Prayers are prayed.

 

• The kontakion appointed for the Hour is chanted.

 

• The Prayer of the Hours Thou Who at all times and at every hour ... is prayed.

 

• The final prayer appointed for the Hour is prayed.

 

• The priest gives the final blessing and offers the Little Dismissal. (Note: this is omitted if another service will immediately follow.)