Holy Week | Tenebrae Service

Friday March 29, 7-8pm

at The Portal: 2007 E 12th St, Vancouver wa 98661

Join us on Good Friday (March 29th) for our traditional Tenebrae Service. This is a solemn remembrance of Christ’s death on the cross for our sins. Due to the nature of the service of shadows and silence, this event will not be suitable for children under 8, so childcare is provided in the church - RSVP here.

what is tenebrae?

Tenebrae is a service which began in medieval times in monastic communities as a reflection and meditation for Good Friday. It is a liturgy for tracing the story of Messiah’s death with scripture reading, poetry, and song.

There are long periods of silence and darkness to dramatize the power of that day. Music offers the only relief in the somber reflection of the suffering of Jesus. Throughout the service candlelight is gradually extinguished, making the room darker and darker as we ponder the depths of Jesus’ suffering. The final “strepitus” is a clanging sound representing the calamity of the world following his death.