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🎬 A horror film 🕯️ A church ceremony 🌑 Deep darkness
Tenebrae

Tenebrae

9.9
A Christian evening service in Holy Week where candles are put out one by one to reflect on Jesus' suffering
  • noun
  • /ˈtɛnəˌbreɪ/
  • Formal
translation icon : Tenebrae
  • During Tenebrae, each candle was extinguished one by one, leaving the church in darkness.

Examples

  • Many churches observe Tenebrae to reflect on the suffering and death of Jesus.

  • During Tenebrae, the candles are gradually extinguished.

  • The congregation gathered for the solemn Tenebrae service on the evening of Good Friday.

  • The church held a special Tenebrae service last night.

  • The congregation gathered for the solemn Tenebrae service on the evening of Good Friday.

  • During Tenebrae, each candle was extinguished one by one, leaving the church in darkness.

  • Many churches observe Tenebrae to reflect on the suffering and death of Jesus.

Synonyms

church service
vsTenebrae
19 2.1

A meeting in a church where people pray, sing, and listen to a talk

is the specific Holy Week worship event with staged candle extinguishing
religious ceremony
vsTenebrae
8 2.9

A formal event where people meet to show shared beliefs with prayers and rituals

is a Holy Week worship event marked by gradual candle extinguishing
religious ritual
vsTenebrae
4 4.2

A ceremony with set actions from a religion like prayers and singing

is a collective worship event that includes a distinct candle extinguishing practice
Christian liturgy
vsTenebrae
7.2

A set way churches use for worship with prayers and hymns

is a seasonal Holy Week worship event marked by gradual candle extinguishing

Surface Forms

Tenebrae singular
Tenebraes plural

Etymology

Tenebrae comes from the Latin tenebrae, which means 'darkness'. The Christian service is called this because candles are put out one by one, leaving the church in darkness so people can quietly think about Jesus' suffering.