Tenebrae Service

Tenebrae Service

Tenebrae comes from the Latin meaning 'shadows' or 'darkness'.

Tenebrae is celebrated at Banner Cross Methodist Church on the evening of Good Friday.

During the service readings from the gospels, which describe the time between the Last Supper and the Passion of Christ, are read out. The stark appearance of the church mirrors the silence maintained at the end of Tenebrae. During the service the altar table is stripped of all the decorative elements, removing the cross, bible and cloths. Also during the service all the lights are gradually extinguished until the room is in complete darkness. At  the end of Tenebrae Service all depart in silence.