Good Friday - Tenebrae Service

Tenebrae (Latin for "darkness" or "shadows") is an ancient Holy Week service characterized by the gradual extinguishing of candles to symbolize the fading light of Christ's life and the approaching darkness of his death. It concludes in total darkness and silence.

The image shown here is courtesy of the National Gallery of Art. French painter Georges de La Tour painted "The Repentant Magdalen" between 1635 and 1640. In Georges de La Tour's somber canvas Mary is shown in profile seated at a table. A candle is the source of light in the composition, but the light also carries a spiritual meaning as it casts a golden glow on the saint's face and the objects assembled on the table. The candle light silhouettes Mary's left hand which rests on a skull that is placed on a book. The skull is reflected in a mirror. The skull and mirror are emblems of vanitas, implying the transience of life.

You may also like the following events from Christ the King Episcopal Church:

• This Saturday, 28th February, 08:00 am, Parish Work Day - February 2026 in Lakeland
• This Sunday, 1st March, 10:00 am, Children’s Peace Garden Planting Day in Lakeland
• Next Tuesday, 3rd March, 01:30 pm, A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls in Lakeland

Also check out other Arts events in Lakeland.