On April 18, at 7 p.m. the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist will host a traditional Tenebrae service as it celebrates Good Friday.
According to a press release, the service will include candlelight and shadows, music, chanting and silence in the sacred surroundings of the church with Bishop James E. Waggoner, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane; Bishop Blase Cupich of the Catholic Diocese of Spokane; Sheryl Kinder-Pyle, executive presbyter, Presbytery of the Inland Northwest; Dale Cockrum, inland district superintendent of the Pacific Northwest Conference, United Methodist Church; Bishop Martin Wells, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Eastern Washington-Idaho; and Bishop Walt Mize, bishop of Christ Holy Sanctified Church.
Tenebrae is the Latin word for “shadows” or “darkness” and is traditionally characterized by readings, prayers and responses, and the successive extinguishing of six candles, until only one — the Christ Candle —remains. When that candle is hidden for a time the community is reminded of Christ’s burial. At that point in the service those assembled make loud noises signifying the tumult that occurred when Christ died on the cross. The hidden candle is then returned to the sanctuary where it burns as a sign of the resurrection.
With the Christ Candle returned to its place, everyone leaves in silence.
According to a press release everyone is welcome to attend and participate in this event. For further information contact The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist at (509) 838-4277, email [email protected].
