Tenebrae

[Irish_13]

What usually happens at one of these and how long are they.

 

[Domnall]

Wikipedia gives a description almost identical to what is done at my parish.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenebre

Our service usually lasts about 45 minutes. Hope this helps!

 

[liturgyluver]

What usually happens at one of these and how long are they.

A beautiful service created through the fusion of the monastic offices of matins and lauds. The service is very atmospheric as 15 candles are gradually extinguished. The musical part of the service is a combination of plainchant and wonderful settings of the responsories. Lasts about 40 mins depending on the musical settings used.

 

[johnnykins]

1-1.5 hours. Chant and prayer. Only service I know of that starts in light and ends in darkness as a candle is extinguished after each psalm. Ends with a loud rumble in remembrance of the quake when Christ died. Oh, a single light is returned at the end - Christ Risen…

 

[Diotima]

I went to one at St. John Cantius last year. Honestly, it was a lot longer than I thought it would be–I think I left after an hour and a half, because I had to get home, and the service was still in progress.

The one at my current church is only an hour, though. So I guess the length varies.