The Office of Tenebrae – Lamentations of Jeremiah
Free (Free (registration required))
Tenebrae will be held Wednesday, March 31, 7:30pm at St. James Cathedral, 804 9th Avenue, Seattle, WA. This is an in-person service and will not be livestreamed. Because the gathering is strictly limited in size, registration will be required to attend. Please note that face masks must be worn at all times.
Thomas Tallis – Lamentations of Jeremiah
A 10-voice choir from the Cathedral Cantorei will sing plainchant and Renaissance composer Thomas Tallis's settings of the Lamentations of Jeremiah.
Join us on Wednesday of Holy Week as we observe the Office of Tenebræ. The name Tenebræ (the Latin word for darkness or shadows) has traditionally been given to the ancient monastic night and early morning services (Matins and Lauds) of the last three days of Holy Week, which in medieval times came to be celebrated on the preceding evenings. Apart from the chanting of the Lamentations of Jeremiah, in which each verse is introduced by a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, the most conspicuous feature of the service is the gradual extinguishing of candles and other lights in the church to signify the darkness that overshadowed the earth at Christ’s crucifixion. The loud noise, or strepitus, at the conclusion of the service suggests the earthquake described in the Passion narratives. The single candle left burning is the symbol and promise of Christ’s triumph over death and darkness.
We regret that this service will not be livestreamed. Registration is required to attend in person; register at https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07ehql7a9s693d09f2&oseq=&c=&ch= or call the parish office at (206) 622-3559. Free parking is available in the O'Dea High School lot.
More info: musicoffice@stjames-cathedral.org.