Choral Evensong: Tenebrae

Trinity Episcopal Cathedral's Choral Evensong Podcasts

Tenebrae
Wednesday in Holy Week

April 13, 2022; 6:00 p.m.

4/13/2022

Download the Bulletin: https://bit.ly/Holy-Week-Bulletin
Make an Offering: https://bit.ly/trinity-offering-n

Wednesday in Holy Week
April 13, 2022; 6:00 p.m. Tenebrae

The name Tenebrae (the Latin word for “darkness” or “shadows”) has for centuries been applied to the ancient monastic night and early morning services (Matins and Lauds) of the last three days of Holy Week, which in medieval times came to be celebrated on the preceding evenings. Apart from the reading or chanting of the Lamentations (in which each verse is introduced by a letter of the Hebrew alphabet), the most conspicuous feature of the service is the gradual extinguishing of candles and other lights in the church until only a single candle, considered a symbol of our Lord, remains. Toward the end of the service this candle is hidden, typifying the apparent victory of the forces of evil. At the very end, the organ plays, symbolizing the earthquake at the time of the resurrection (Matthew 28:2), the hidden candle is restored to its place, and by its light all depart in silence. In the Book of Occasional Services, provision is made for Tenebrae on Wednesday evening only, in order that the proper liturgies of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday may find their place as the principal services of those days. By drawing upon material from each of the former three offices of Tenebrae, this service provides an extended meditation upon, and a prelude to, the events in our Lord’s life between the Last Supper and the Resurrection. Tonight’s service uses only the first of the three Nocturns of Lauds.

The post Choral Evensong: Tenebrae appeared first on Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.