|
|
|
|
|
Tenebrae (Maundy) - This article is about a religious service, for other meanings see tenebrae.
The Tenebrae (Latin for darkness) is a religious service celebrated by high church elements of Christianity, including within Anglicanism, and traditionally by both the Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox churches. The service is celebrated on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, or Holy Saturday, and is held to represent Jesus' death. The service includes hymns, choral works, and prayers, but does not contain a communion. Texts used within the service usually include the book of Lamentations. During the service, the place of worship is gradually stripped, which means that the decorative elements, such as any cloths on the altar or removable objects of devotion, are removed. Imagery such as icons, crucifixes, altar decoration, and other decorative but immovable objects, are covered by plain cloths or otherwise hidden in some manner. This happens as the service progresses so that whilst at the start of the service, the place of worship is in its usual state, at the end it is totally plain. Lighting is gradually reduced throughout the service, initially being fully lit (often including candles), extinguishing and reduction of light occurring throughout, and eventually ending in total darkness (thus the name of the service) Also during the service, the elaboration of the acts of worship are reduced, usually starting with a full choir and organ, or other form of elaborate accompanyment, which is gradually reduced. At one point the choir leave and do not return, at another the organ, or other musical accompaniment ceases. Eventually the service ends by an abrupt silence, and people traditionally leave without comment, or talking to their associates or the priesthood. The service is not considered to have finished until after everyone has left the place of worship.
|
 |
|
| Copyright 2005-2009 OnPedia.com. All Rights Reserved |
|
|