The word Tenebrae is Latin for "shadows" or "darkness". It can also be translated as "night" or "death".
The Tenebrae service is an ancient tradition in Christian history that took place on one of the last three days of Holy Week: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, or Holy Saturday. The purpose of this service was to remember the somber events that occurred in Jesus' life from the exuberant entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday through the night of Jesus' burial on Good Friday.
The most distinctive aspect of the service is the use of a Tenebrae "hearse", a holder for several lit candles. The flames of these candles are extinguished one by one as Scripture readings are shared to tell the story of Holy Week. This gradual descent into gloom is a representation of Jesus' increasing sorrow as the events of Passion Week unfolded.
After the last reading, which confirms that Jesus had died on the cross, the last of the lit candles is extinguished or taken away and the room is plunged into darkness. A loud sound (called strepitus in Latin) is made to represent the closing of Christ's tomb and to convey the sense of total loss of God's presence and the effect of the death of Jesus on the universe.
The service ends, and the participants leave in contemplative silence to ponder the impact of Christ's death and await the celebration of the coming Resurrection.
The Bible does not mention Tenebrae, and such a service is therefore not a mandate for the Church. However, this traditional service is still performed by many Catholic parishes, Lutheran churches, and some Orthodox churches. Many contemporary Christian churches will have Good Friday services that harken back to the Tenebrae but with many alterations for their modern congregations.
Come be part of this ancient tradition starting at 7:30 PM on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, and find out why "This Jesus must die!"