Terce

Terce, also known as the Third Hour, is one of the canonical hours in Western Christian liturgy. It represents a mid-morning prayer time within the Divine Office, traditionally observed around nine o’clock, though the exact hour has varied by tradition and season. The name derives from Latin tertia hora, meaning the third hour after sunrise; in English it appears as Terce, and in some languages as Tierce.

Historically, the day was divided into several hours for prayer, work, and worship. Terce originated in early Christian communities and became a regular component of monastic and cathedral prayer rhythms. In many Western traditions, it marked the mid-morning point of the daily cycle of prayers and often included psalms, a short biblical or patristic reading, prayers, and antiphons. The form and length of Terce have varied greatly between communities, from brief recitations to more elaborate offices.

In practice today, Terce is still part of the liturgical schedule in some contexts. In the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, it remains the historical Third Hour in principle, but its observance is more common in traditional or monastic settings and may be omitted in-day parish life. Various Anglican, Lutheran, and other Western churches retain a form of Terce or refer to it as the Third Hour, though its use ranges from daily recitation to occasional or seasonal observance. In Eastern Christian traditions, a corresponding service known as the Third Hour exists, though it follows different liturgical structures.

See also: Matins, Lauds, Sext, None, Vespers, Compline.