Tenebrae (service)

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This article is about a religious service, for other meanings see tenebrae.

Tenebrae (Latin for darkness) is a religious service celebrated by high church elements of Western Christianity, including the Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Churches, Lutheran Churches, United Methodist Church, Presbyterian Church (USA), and United Church of Christ.

The service is typically celebrated in the evening of Holy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday or in the morning of Good Friday and Holy Saturday, and is held to represent Jesus' death. It classically consists of the psalms, biblical and patristic readings, and prayers of Matins (the Office of Readings in the post-Vatican II liturgy) and Lauds (Morning Prayer) for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.[1]

Some Tenebrae services include other psalms, readings, prayers, hymns, and choral works, but never Holy Communion. Texts used within the service usually include the book of Lamentations.

Lighting is gradually reduced throughout the service, initially being fully lit (often including candles), extinguishing and reduction of light occurring throughout, and eventually ending in total darkness (thus the name of the service).

During some versions of the service, the place of worship is gradually stripped, which means that the decorative elements, such as any cloths on the altar or removable objects of devotion, are removed. Imagery such as icons, crucifixes, altar decoration, and other decorative but immovable objects, are covered by plain cloths or otherwise hidden in some manner. This happens as the service progresses so that whilst at the start of the service, the place of worship is in its usual state, at the end it is totally plain.

Also in some versions of the service, the elaboration of the acts of worship are reduced, usually starting with a full choir and organ, or other form of elaborate accompaniment, which is gradually reduced. At one point the choir leaves and does not return, at another the organ, or other musical accompaniment ceases. Eventually the service ends by an abrupt silence, and people traditionally leave without comment, or talking to their associates or the clergy.

In some places the use of a "great noise" is included as part of the service. The service is not considered to have finished until after everyone has left the place of worship.

The rites associated with Tenebrae may be derived from customs that are connected to the Jewish fast day of Tisha B'Av (the Ninth Day of Av.) On this day, the book of Lamentations is read, the synagogue is darkened and decorative elements are removed.


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