Three Hours
Three Hours
1. "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34) 2. To the Good Thief crucified at Jesus' side: "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43) 3. To Mary, Blessed Virgin: "Woman, behold, your son." To his disciple John: "Behold your mother." (John 19:26-27) 4, "Eloï, eloï, lama sabachthani?" (My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?) (Mark 15:34, Matthew 27:46) 5. "I thirst." (John 19:28) 6. "It is finished." (John 19:30) 7. "Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit!" (Luke 23:46)
Most Three Hours services take place on Good Friday between noon and three o'clock.
History
Father Alonso Messia, a Roman Catholic priest from Peru, invented the Three Hours devotion in the seventeenth century. This devotion began at noon, when a large crucifix and a number of lighted candles were placed on the altar. The first of Jesus'seven statements was read aloud, after which a priest delivered a sermon on the subject. After listening to this address the worshipers sang hymns, prayed together, and observed a period of silence. This cycle was repeated for each of the seven statements. At three p.m. the priest announced Jesus' death. Worshipers concluded the observance by reciting the Creed, a summary of fundamental Christian beliefs, and asking forgiveness for their sins.
Although Messia receives the credit for having invented this ceremony, it resembles one of the Good Friday services observed by Jerusalem Christians in the late fourth century. Egeria, a western European pilgrim to the Holy Land during that era recorded the outlines of this observance in her diary. According to Egeria the Christian community in Jerusalem gathered together at Golgotha, the site of Jesus'crucifixion, at noon on Good Friday. There they participated in a threehour service that included readings from Hebrew and Christian scripture, prayers, and hymns. The passages from Hebrew scripture, which Christians call the Old Testament, were paired with readings from Christian scripture, or the New Testament. These pairings were designed to demonstrate the fulfillment of biblical prophecies in the life and death of Jesus. The service ended with a reading of the Passion according to St. John. Tears slid down the faces of many worshipers as they listened to this account of Jesus'last days. Afterwards the congregation prayed together and then dispersed.
After its introduction in Peru, the Three Hours devotion spread to other Latin American countries, including Ecuador, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico. It also migrated across the Atlantic Ocean to Italy and Spain. Eventually it made its way to the United States and England. In Europe famous composer Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) wrote a piece of music called "Seven Last Words" (1809) especially for the service. Charles Gounod (1818-1893) also wrote music to accompany the service.
Although it achieved its initial popularity among Roman Catholic congregations, Protestants, too, eventually adopted the Three Hours service. In many Protestant churches it has become the main Good Friday observance.
Contemporary Services
Today's Three Hours services vary somewhat in their format. They may include musical offerings performed by trained musicians, special meditations, and other devotional acts not included in older variations of the observance. Nevertheless, the outlines of the service remain the same. Three Hours services generally take place between noon and three p.m. on Good Friday, and provide an opportunity for worshipers to consider Jesus' words and deeds during his last hours on earth.
Further Reading
Harper, Howard. Days and Customs of All Faiths. 1957. Reprint. Detroit, MI: Omnigraphics, 1990. Metford, J. C. J. The Christian Year. London, England: Thames and Hudson, 1991. Monti, James. The Week of Salvation. Huntington, IN: Our Sunday Visitor Publications, 1993. Seidenspinner, Clarence. Great Protestant Festivals. New York: Henry Schuman, 1952. Weiser, Francis X. The Easter Book. New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1954.