The Ancient Office of Tenebrae is one of the best-attended events of the year at the cathedral. It features Gregorian chants and other choral music of Holy Week sung by the Choir of Saint Peter in Chains Cathedral. “Tenebrae” is a Latin word meaning “shadows” or “darkness.” It designates a special Holy Week liturgy introducing the sacred Tritium: Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. The service consists of the Psalms, reading of Scripture, the chanting of the Lamentations of Jeremiah, and the singing of the great Passiontide choral settings. In modern liturgical practice, Tenebrae is sung on Wednesday evening of Holy Week. The dramatic features of this service are the candles on a 15-branch candelabra in the center of the Sanctuary, which are extinguished throughout the service with all the lights in the cathedral, as the church contemplates the temporary triumph of the Prince of Darkness over the Light of the World; and a loud noise (strepitus)  at the service’s conclusion, suggesting the earthquake described in the Passion narratives.

No tickets required. A free-will offering will be collected.

Music for service includes Gregorian chants and polyphonic choral pieces from the Renaissance through the 20th century:

Peter Hallock: Turn Us Again, O Lord of Hosts
Pablo Casals: O Vos Omnes
Tomas Luis de Victoria: Tenebrae Facte Sunt
Francis Poulenc: Timor et Tremor
Gregorio Allegri: Miserere
Anton Bruckner: Christus Factus Est
Tomas Luis de Victoria Victoria: Eram Quam Agnus
Chant: The Lamentations of Jeremiah