I am a Christian. I was raised in the Roman Catholic church but now worship in both the Roman Catholic church and the Lutheran Missouri Synod Church. They are both so very close in theology that I am comfortable in either church. Out of all the religious services of the year, I absolutely love Good Friday services and have not missed one ever. I love the rituals and symbolism, especially the Stations of the Cross service, and the Tenebrae service.
The Stations of the Cross service is just that....one walks in the footsteps of Jesus to the Cross. It was developed during the Crusades when the knights and pilgrims began to follow the route of Christ's way to Calvary. In today's services, there are 14 recognized stations where one pauses and reflects on that station with readings, prayers, reflection, then genuflection. This service begins usually at 3pm and ends at 5pm. Usually a few of us then go out to dinner.
Beginning at 7pm, we go to the Tenebrae service which to me is the most amazing service I have ever been to. The word ‘tenebrae’ is Latin for shadows. The purpose of the Tenebrae service is to recreate the emotional aspects of the passion story. This is not supposed to be a happy service, because the occasion is not happy. The service was originally designed for Good Friday, but it can be used for Maundy Thursday as well. The service has long scripture narratives, usually divided into seven, eight, or nine parts, each one assigned to a different reader. It also has solemn hymns and a sermon. The service begins with the church in darkness, lit only by the tenebrae candles (usually 9-10 in total including the Christ candle). After each reading and during a solemn hymn, one candle is extinguished until only the Christ candle is lit. From here on out, the service is done in total silence. One of the pastors then reads the first part of Psalm 22 which Jesus quoted on the cross. Then they began stripping the altar of everything, one thing at a time, leaving only the Christ candle and the Bible. At this point, they began washing the altar in preparation for the body. Once that is finished, one of the pastors picks up the Bible and follows the rest of the pastors out of the church with the Christ candle. When they reach the back of the church, the pastor closes the Bible loudly, symbolizing the earthquake that occurred after Jesus died. Then they blow out the Christ candle symbolizing the total darkness and total devastation of what had just happened. At this point, the service ends. There is no benediction and the lights are raised slightly to allow us to see to leave the church in silence. The purpose of the service is to recreate the betrayal, abandonment, and agony of the events, and it is left unfinished, because the story isn’t over until Easter Day.
It really wasn't until I was older that I understood the meanings of the service and to this day, this service will move me to tears.
