Daily Hours of the Orthodox Church: The Horologion

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Holy Cross Monastery is an English-speaking Orthodox Christian monastic brotherhood within the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in the Diocese of Eastern America & New York. Learn more about the life and ministry of the monastery at https://holycross.org.

HOLY CROSS MONASTERY is an English-speaking Orthodox Christian monastic brotherhood within the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in the Diocese of Eastern America & New York. Learn more about the life and ministry of the monastery at https://holycross.org.

The Midnight Office is served before Matins. In the Gospel parable of the ten virgins the LordJesus Christ portrayed Himself as the bridegroom who came at midnight. Thus, since ancient times Christians have sanctified this hour with prayer so as to meet the Lord, like the wise virgins, in wakefulness. In addition to this, midnight is hallowed for Christians by the remembrance that at that time the Lord sorrowed and travailed in the garden of Gethsemane even to the sweating of His blood, was betrayed by the traitorous Judas, and was subjected to bitter reviling while on trial before the high priest. The Midnight Office consists of the reading of the penitential psalms 50 and 118, which portray the blessedness of blameless men; of the Symbol of Faith, the hymn “Behold, the Bridegroom Cometh,” and prayers for the departed. In this way the Midnight Office inclines us to repentance, the continual preservation of the law of the Lord, and spiritual vigilance in expectation of the unexpected Second Coming of Christ.

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Holy Cross Monastery is an English-speaking Orthodox Christian monastic brotherhood within the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in the Diocese of Eastern America & New York. Learn more about the life and ministry of the monastery at https://holycross.org.

HOLY CROSS MONASTERY is an English-speaking Orthodox Christian monastic brotherhood within the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in the Diocese of Eastern America & New York. Learn more about the life and ministry of the monastery at https://holycross.org.

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Holy Cross Monastery is an English-speaking Orthodox Christian monastic brotherhood within the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in the Diocese of Eastern America & New York. Learn more about the life and ministry of the monastery at https://holycross.org.

THE FIRST NOUR, which corresponds by our reckoning to the seventh hour of the morning, recalls how the Lord Jesus Christ was led into the praetorium from Caiaphas to Pilate, “like an evil-doer, the Benefactor bound, and how there the Judge of all the world was slandered by the lawless high priests and elders of the Jews, and by an unjust judge was condemned.” It is believed that the First Hour was established in Palestinian monasteries in the fourth century. At the reading of the Hours it is customary to read the Troparion and Kontakion hymns of the feast (if applicable) or of the saint of the day. However, in order to make the Hours herein available for general use throughout the Church year, the Troparion and Kontakion to the Holy Cross are used. Holy Cross Monastery Online Store: https://holycross.org/collections Holy Cross Monastery Live Broadcast: https://youtube.com/channel/UCQ-sqeQbmgzrL0t8uFJm4Ew Paypal Donation Link: https://paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/1336755 HOLY CROSS MONASTERY is an English-speaking Orthodox Christian monastic brotherhood within the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in the Diocese of Eastern America & New York. Learn more about the life and ministry of the monastery at https://holycross.org.

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Holy Cross Monastery is an English-speaking Orthodox Christian monastic brotherhood within the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in the Diocese of Eastern America & New York. Learn more about the life and ministry of the monastery at https://holycross.org.

THE THIRD HOUR, which corresponds by our reckoning to the ninth hour of the morning, recalls how the Savior was judged by Pilate, there enduring countless mockeries, blows, beatings, and being crowned with a crown of thorns. Together with this, that which took place at this hour, as witnessed to in the Book of Acts, is also recalled - the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. In accordance with this, corresponding psalms are selected. In ancient Horologia, beginning with the well known Horologion of the Sinai library from the eighth century, troparia were indicated together with the psalms we have today. At the reading of the Hours it is customary to read the Troparion and Kontakion hymns of the feast (if applicable) or of the saint of the day. However, in order to make the Hours herein available for general use throughout the Church year, the Troparion and Kontakion to the Holy Cross are used.Holy Cross Monastery Online Store: https://holycross.org/collections Holy Cross Monastery Live Broadcast: https://youtube.com/channel/UCQ-sqeQbmgzrL0t8uFJm4Ew Paypal Donation Link: https://paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/1336755 HOLY CROSS MONASTERY is an English-speaking Orthodox Christian monastic brotherhood within the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in the Diocese of Eastern America & New York. Learn more about the life and ministry of the monastery at https://holycross.org.

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Holy Cross Monastery is an English-speaking Orthodox Christian monastic brotherhood within the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in the Diocese of Eastern America & New York. Learn more about the life and ministry of the monastery at https://holycross.org.

THE SIXTH HOUR, which corresponds by our reckoning to the twelfth hour of the day, recalls the salvific events which took place at that hour: the crucifixion of the Lord on the Cross between two thieves, the mockery of the soldiers and of those who passed by the suffering Lord, and the darkness which then covered the earth. In accordance with this, corresponding psalms are selected. In them prayer is offered up unto the Lord with hope in His aid, and the betrayal of Judas, the hatred of the Jews who sought the death of the Lord, and the sufferings of the Savior, both spiritual and bodily, are prophetically depicted; the darkness which covered the earth from the sixth until the ninth hour is depicted; then the gladness of men who turn to God for help is portrayed. In ancient handwritten Horologia the psalms of the Sixth Hour are the same as they are today. At the reading of the Hours, it is customary to read the Troparion and Kontakion hymns of the feast (if applicable) or of the saint of the day. However, in order to make the Hours herein available for general use throughout the Church year, the Troparion and Kontakion to the Holy Cross are used.Holy Cross Monastery Online Store:https://holycross.org/collectionsHoly Cross Monastery Live Broadcast: https://youtube.com/channel/UCQ-sqeQbmgzrL0t8uFJm4Ew Paypal Donation Link: https://paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/1336755HOLY CROSS MONASTERY is an English-speaking Orthodox Christian monastic brotherhood within the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in the Diocese of Eastern America & New York. Learn more about the life and ministry of the monastery at https://holycross.org.

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Holy Cross Monastery is an English-speaking Orthodox Christian monastic brotherhood within the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in the Diocese of Eastern America & New York. Learn more about the life and ministry of the monastery at https://holycross.org.

THE NINTH HOUR, which corresponds by our reckoning to the third hour of the afternoon, recalls the death of the Savior on the Cross, the earthquake, the arising of the dead from the graves, and the piercing of the side of the Lord with a spear. In accordance with this, corresponding psalms are selected. In them the dwellings of the Lord of hosts and a burning desire to enter into them are depicted; the prophecy of the Lord’s redemption of men is expounded; and the Lord’s descent into Hades is portrayed. The history of the origins of the Ninth hour is the same as that of the First, Third, and Sixth Hours; it is ascribed to the third century and the years that followed, which may also be observed in surviving literary monuments. At the reading of the Hours it is customary to read the Troparion and Kontakion hymns of the feast (if applicable) or of the saint of the day. However, in order to make the Hours herein available for general use throughout the Church year, the Troparion and Kontakion to the Holy Cross are used.

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Holy Cross Monastery is an English-speaking Orthodox Christian monastic brotherhood within the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in the Diocese of Eastern America & New York. Learn more about the life and ministry of the monastery at https://holycross.org.

HOLY CROSS MONASTERY is an English-speaking Orthodox Christian monastic brotherhood within the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in the Diocese of Eastern America & New York. Learn more about the life and ministry of the monastery at https:/=holycross.org. THE COMPLINE SERVICE is served after Vespers before retiring for sleep, and consists of the reading of psalms and prayers. At this time, we ask of God forgiveness of sins, help, and defense from enemies visible and invisible who seek to ensnare our souls and are especially dangerous during sleep. We also recite the Symbol of Faith and offer prayers to the Theotokos and to Christ the Savior that we be blessed on approaching sleep. There exist both Great and Small Compline. Small Compline is served for most of the year. Great Compline is generally served on weekday evenings during Great Lent, as well as on the Annunciation when the latter falls on a weekday within Great Lent. Additionally, Great Compline is served on the eves of the feasts of the Nativity of Christ and Theophany.

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Holy Cross Monastery is an English-speaking Orthodox Christian monastic brotherhood within the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in the Diocese of Eastern America & New York. Learn more about the life and ministry of the monastery at https://holycross.org.

HOLY CROSS MONASTERY is an English-speaking Orthodox Christian monastic brotherhood within the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in the Diocese of Eastern America & New York. Learn more about the life and ministry of the monastery at https:= holycross.org. THE COMPLINE SERVICE is served after Vespers before retiring for sleep, and consists of the reading of psalms and prayers. At this time, we ask of God forgiveness of sins, help, and defense from enemies visible and invisible who seek to ensnare our souls and are especially dangerous during sleep. We also recite the Symbol of Faith and offer prayers to the Theotokos and to Christ the Savior that we be blessed on approaching sleep. There exist both Great and Small Compline. Small Compline is served for most of the year. Great Compline is generally served on weekday evenings during Great Lent, as well as on the Annunciation when the latter falls on a weekday within Great Lent. Additionally, Great Compline is served on the eves of the feasts of the Nativity of Christ and Theophany.

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Holy Cross Monastery is an English-speaking Orthodox Christian monastic brotherhood within the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in the Diocese of Eastern America & New York. Learn more about the life and ministry of the monastery at https://holycross.org.

HOLY CROSS MONASTERY is an English-speaking Orthodox Christian monastic brotherhood within the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in the Diocese of Eastern America & New York. Learn more about the life and ministry of the monastery at https://.org. THE COMPLINE SERVICE is served after Vespers before retiring for sleep, and consists of the reading of psalms and prayers. At this time, we ask of God forgiveness of sins, help, and defense from enemies visible and invisible who seek to ensnare our souls and are especially dangerous during sleep. We also recite the Symbol of Faith and offer prayers to the Theotokos and to Christ the Savior that we be blessed on approaching sleep. There exist both Great and Small Compline. Small Compline is served for most of the year. Great Compline is generally served on weekday evenings during Great Lent, as well as on the Annunciation when the latter falls on a weekday within Great Lent. Additionally, Great Compline is served on the eves of the feasts of the Nativity of Christ and Theophany.