About This Service

The word Tenebrae (TEN-e-bray) means “darkness.”

The service we use tonight was first celebrated in monasteries nearly 1,000 years ago. The order of worship centers on a series of Psalms and other Scripture lessons that focus on our Lord's crucifixion.

Seven candles are lit and extinguished as each of Jesus’ words are read. After the last reading, the final candle is removed from the chancel leaving the church in tenebrae for silent prayer. The service is closed by a loud sound, called the strepitus, which worshippers have interpreted in many ways throughout church history. Some see the strepitus as a symbol to remind us of the stone that was rolled in front of Jesus’ tomb to seal it shut; others see it as a statement of the tumultuous nature of Christ’s sacrifice; still others view it as foreshadowing the rending of Christ’s tomb at his resurrection on Easter morning. The final candle, which is still burning, is returned to its place at the end of the service.

The mood of the service is most solemn, encouraging the worshipers to reflect deeply upon their own lives in the light of the Passion of our Lord. No closing blessing is pronounced and the congregation disperses into the night, leaving the darkened church in silence, yet remembering the Light of life which lingers and casts hope through the gloom of Good Friday and leads us on to Easter Sunday.