Tenebrae

Tenebrae -- Latin for shadows -- is an ancient liturgical form that is intended to move us to individual prayer and meditation through scripture readings, prayers, hymns, and anthems. The service traditionally begins in a fully-lighted church that progresses towards darkness during the course of the evening. Since we are unable to offer this service in a church building, we suggest that home worshippers begin with all the lights up in whatever room they are in and if available, add some lighted candles as well.

There are seven lessons, prayers and musical meditations, and after each set, a candle is extinguished, until all are extinguished, and we are left in darkness.

The texts of the prayers following each of the seven readings were graciously provided by the Rev. Dr. George Paul Mocko, retired Bishop of the Maryland Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, and by the Rev. Loree Penner, one of the clergy at St. Francis Episcopal Parish.