An Introduction To Tenebrae Worship

The word tenebrae means "darkness" and refers specifically to a service of worship in which the progressive extinguishing of candles represent the snuffing out of the life of Christ. It is becoming an increasingly popular devotion for Holy Week and is celebrated on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday of Holy Week. The word tenebrae appears after the twelfth century and is used to refer to Matins and Lauds (prayers at dawn and sunset) on the last three days of Holy Week. These services were sung on the night before the day to which they refer, beginning on Wednesday night before Maundy Thursday. Originally the Matins and Lauds for the three great days were simply the ordinary office sung in monastic communities of the medieval era. The Matins and Lauds for the last three days of Holy Week consisted of a series on the events of salvation that took place from the Last Supper to the entombment. On Thursday the betrayal is emphasized; on Friday the judgment, crucifixion, and death of Christ;…