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; Vespers (5pm) the taking down from the Cross; Compline (9pm) the laying in the tomb; and the Midnight Praise, His three prayers at Gethsemane.

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