"For millennia before the use of clocks, the hours of the day were reckoned from sunrise. We would say now that the First Hour after sunrise corresponds to about seven o'clock in the morning. Our Church prays and asks God to bless the day at this hour. She particularly beseeches God to guard us from everything which could harm us in body or soul. At this time, when the senses are awakening through the material light, she calls for spiritual awakening through the Savior Christ, who is "the true light enlightening every man who comes into the world."
"To You I pray, O Lord; in the morning You hear my voice!"
Psalm 5
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Come, let us worship!
Give ear to my words, O Lord; give heed to my groaning. Hearken to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to You do I pray. O Lord, in the morning You hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for You and watch. For You are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not sojourn with You. The boastful may not stand before Your eyes; You hate all evildoers. You destroy those who speak lies; the Lord abhors bloodthirsty and deceitful men. But I through the abundance of Your steadfast love will enter Your house, I will worship toward Your holy temple in the fear of You. Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make Your way straight before me. For there is no truth in their mouth; their heart is destruction, their throat is an open sepulcher, they flatter with their tongue. Make them bear their guilt, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; because of their many transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against You. But let all who take refuge in You rejoice, let them ever sing for joy; and defend them, that those who love Your name may exult in You. For You bless the righteous, O Lord; You cover him with favor as with a shield.
Order my steps in Your word and so shall no wickedness have dominion over me. Deliver me from the wrongful dealings of men, and so I shall keep Your commandments. Show the light of Your countenance upon Your servant and teach me Your statutes. Let my mouth be filled with Your praise, O Lord, that I may sing of Your glory and honor all the day long. O Christ the true light, enlightening and sanctifying every man who comes into the world: Let the light of Your countenance shine on us, that in it we may behold the ineffable light. Guide our footsteps aright in keeping Your commandments, Through the intercessions of Your all-pure Mother and of all the saints. Amen.
The universe offers You the God-bearing martyrs as the first-fruits of creation, O Lord and Creator. Through the Theotokos and their prayers, establish Your Church in peace.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, may the Lord have mercy on us. Amen.
Taken from A Manual of the Hours of the Orthodox Church, translated by Holy Myrrhbearers Monastery in Otego, NY. No copyright was applied to the original work.
Posted on www.holycrossonline.org.