Tertia

Tertia (Lat. third), the name given in the early Church to the third hour of prayer; that is, nine in the morning. Different theories are given of its origin; some saving that it was observed in regard to our Savior's being condemned by Pilate at that time, others that it is in. memory of the Holy Ghost coming upon the apostles at that hour. This is the reason assigned by Cassian and Basil. On all festivals? this service was omitted, because on Sundays the communion was used, which always began at this hour. See Bingham, Christ. Antiq. bk. 13 ch. 9, § 11.