The Hours
The Hours — the brief services of psalmody that sanctify the turning points of the day: the First, Third, Sixth, and Ninth Hours.
The Usual Beginning
O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere and fillest all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of life: come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Thrice)
The First Hour
Psalms 5, 89, 100.
O Christ, the true Light, Who enlightenest and sanctifiest every man that cometh into the world: let the light of Thy countenance be signed upon us, that in it we may behold the unapproachable Light…
The Third Hour
Psalms 16, 24, 50. The hour of the descent of the Holy Spirit.
O Lord, Who at the third hour didst send down Thy Most Holy Spirit upon Thine apostles: take Him not from us, O Good One, but renew Him in us who pray unto Thee.
The Sixth Hour
Psalms 53, 54, 90. The hour of the Crucifixion.
O Thou Who on the sixth day and hour didst nail to the Cross the sin which rebellious Adam committed in Paradise: tear asunder also the handwriting of our iniquities, O Christ God, and save us.
The Ninth Hour
Psalms 83, 84, 85. The hour of the Lord's death upon the Cross.
O Thou Who at the ninth hour didst taste of death in the flesh for our sake: mortify the presumption of our flesh, O Christ God, and save us.