Catholic Encyclopedia (1913)/Terce The origin of Terce, like
that of Sext and None, to which it bears a close relationship,
dates back to Apostolic times. As has already been stated (see
NONE) according to an ancient custom of the Romans and Greeks,
the day and night respectively were divided into four parts of
about three hours each. The second division of the day hours was
that of Terce from nine o'clock until midday. These divisions of
the day were also in vogue among the Jews at the time of Christ.
In the New Testament we find mention of the sixth hour in Matt.,
xx, 5; xxvii, 45; Mark, xv, 33; John, xix, 14; of the ninth
hour, in Matt., xxvii, 46; Mark, xv, 25; the Holy Ghost descends
upon the Apostles on the day of Pentecost at the third hour,
Acts, ii, 15. Some of these texts prove that these three hours
were, in preference to others, chosen for prayer by the
Christians, and probably also by the Jews, from whom the
Christians appear to have borrowed the custom. We find frequent
mention in the Fathers of