The canonical prayers prepare us for the celebration of the Eucharist. Each hour has its own occasion: the First Hour (6am) symbolises Christ's incarnation and resurrection; the Third Hour (9am) His ascent to Heaven and the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost; the Sixth Hour (noon) the crucifixion; the Ninth Hour (3pm) His death; the Eleventh Hour or Vespers (5pm) the taking down from the Cross; the Twelfth Hour or Compline (9pm) the laying in the tomb; and the Midnight Praises, His three prayers at Gethsemane.

The celebrant Priest shakes the hands with the other Priests, if there are any others. He asks them the absolution and to support him with their prayers.

The Priest, Deacons and Congregation participate in reciting the Psalms and hymns of the Canonical Hours from the Book of the Hours (the Agpeya).

The offerings should be present before the sanctuary when the Psalms are recited, since the Psalms sanctify the offerings.

for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

— 1 Timothy 4:5

On the days on which there is no fasting, the Third Hour and the Sixth Hour are prayed. On fast days, the Ninth Hour is prayed in addition to the Third and the Sixth Hours. And during the Great Lent, the Eleventh and the Twelfth Hours are prayed in addition.