Prayer Service

Time of service

Description/Purpose

Vespers

At sunset

The beginning of the (liturgical) day. Meditating on Christ as the "Light."

Compline

At bedtime

Meditating on our final falling asleep, i.e. our death.

Midnight Office

At midnight

Prayed in monasteries in the middle of the night.

Matins or Orthros

At dawn

Prayer in the watches before dawn. Praising God at the rising of the sun.

First Hour (Prime)

At ~7 AM

Meditating on the Creation, Banishment of Adam and Eve from Paradise, the appearance of Christ before Caiaphas.

Third Hour (Terce)

At ~9 AM

Meditating on the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, which happened at this hour.

Sixth Hour (Sext)

At noon

Meditating on Christ's crucifixion, which happened at this hour

Ninth Hour (None)

At ~3 PM

Meditating on the death of Christ, which happened at this hour.