Tenebrae

Tenebrae is a Latin word meaning “darkness,” and is the popular name for the special forms of the offices of Matins and Lauds appointed for the last three days in Holy Week. Because it is now a nearly universal practice to hold the liturgies for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday in the evening, it has become customary, in some places, to offer Tenebrae on an evening earlier in Holy Week. Perhaps the most striking feature of the service is the gradual extinguishing of the candles after the singing or reading of psalms and lessons until only one candle is left, which is then concealed for a time until a loud noise is made (signifying the earthquake at the time of the Resurrection). Following this, the hidden candle is restored to its place in anticipation of the Resurrection. The congregation then departs in silence.