Tenebrae - Latin for "darkness" A typical tenebrae service takes place in a dark room lit by a number of candles. A series of Scripture readings chronicles Jesus' final week, ending with his burial. At the end of each reading a candle is snuffed out, until the final candle, the Christ candle, is carried out, leaving the room in darkness. A "strepitus" or" loud noise" takes place in total darkness near the end of the service.