This evening, we observe a service that dates to the 4th Century. The word ‘Tenebrae,’ is Latin and literally means darkness.
We meditate on the fact that it was on the evening before Good Friday that Jesus and the disciples were together for the last time, standing in the shadow of the cross.
Our service consists of a series of Bible readings that chronicle Jesus last week. At the end of each reading a candle is snuffed out, and is symbolic of the gathering darkness that came over Jesus. The altar will be stripped and at the end of the service the Paschal candle is carried out of the church as we leave in silence. There will be an opportunity to stay and sit in quiet contemplative prayer after the service, recalling Jesus and his disciples time in The Garden of Gethsemane.