The word Tenebrae is Latin for "shadows" or "darkness." This service is an ancient tradition in Christian history and it seeks to remember the sombre 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 candles - a number of candles are lit at the beginning of the service and they are extinguished one by one as the 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 verse is read, the white 'Christ' candle is not extinguished, but moved out of sight and the church will be plunged into darkness. Come along and see what happens next...