After the Divine Liturgy, the most important and obligatory public services are the Matins and Vespers. The midnight service and the compline (a service for the beginning of night—after the last meal) are offered only in monasteries, with a few exceptions, when they are said in parish churches, especially during Lent. The Hours also should be understood by the people and listened to before Liturgy, as they are appointed for every day, and on certain days they are made longer by special readings, which solemnly characterize the day celebrated. The Hours are divided into the I., III., VI., and IX., i.e. they are intended to occupy some time in each of the quarter of an even day of twelve hours, such as the days are in the Holy Land. While assisting us in offering to God the first of our time, the first of our thoughts, and our spiritual service, yet the very name—Hour—is significant of some historic moments, which have an important meaning for the Christian, and over which he is obliged to stop and meditate.
St. Simeon of Salonica says: “In the First Hour three psalms are read in honor of the Trinity; it was David’s wont to repeat these psalms in the morning, and they contain thanksgivings to God, and prayer asking for the coming of Divine light upon us, the help for carrying out our works, the deliverance from evil, and for granting us that which is good.” The psalms, stanzas, and the several prayers of the Third Hour contain a commemoration of the wicked council held by the Jews, during which they decided to kill Jesus; and likewise of the third hour, in which the Holy Ghost came upon the Apostles, through which we—the faithful—have also been enlightened. The Sixth Hour is midday, according to the calculation of time in the East. And in all times, by many people and Saints, the middle of day has appropriately been set aside for prayer. It was during this time that Peter was at prayer in the upper part of the house in Joppa. Our Lord Jesus Christ was tortured and then put to the cross—death in the Sixth Hour. The reading of the Ninth Hour, when our Lord gave up His soul, is instructive, and at the same time comforting, reminding us that it was for our salvation that He of His own will gave up Himself for us,—for our everlasting happiness,—redeeming us from the curse, the devil, and our own sinful and imperfect will.
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