Tenebrae: A Service of Shadows
Schedule
Wed, 01 Apr, 2026 at 07:30 pm
UTC-04:00Location
1790 Lavista Rd NE, Atlanta, GA, United States, Georgia 30329 | North Druid Hills, GE
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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 evening.Apart from the chant 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. The extinguishing of the candles, one by one, is representative of the forsaking and the desertion of Our Lord by all of his disciples, leaving him alone on the Cross. Toward the end of the service the remaining candle is hidden, signifying the apparent victory of the forces of evil. At the very end, a loud noise is made, 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.
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Where is it happening?
1790 Lavista Rd NE, Atlanta, GA, United States, Georgia 30329, 1790 Lavista Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30329-3604, United States, North Druid HillsEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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