This article is about a religious service, for other meanings see tenebrae.

The Tenebrae (Latin for darkness) is a religious service celebrated by high church elements of Western Christianity, including within Anglicanism, and traditionally by the Roman Catholic Church.

The service is celebrated on Holy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, or Holy Saturday, and is held to represent Jesus' death. It consists of the daily prayers and psalms in the Breviary from Vespers (Evening Prayer) of Holy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday; and Lauds (Morning Prayer) of Holy Saturday.

The service includes psalms, hymns, choral works, and prayers, but does not contain a communion. Texts used within the service usually include the book of Lamentations.

Lighting is gradually reduced throughout the service, initially being fully lit (often including candles), extinguishing and reduction of light occurring throughout, and eventually ending in total darkness (thus the name of the service).

During some versions of the service, the place of worship is gradually stripped, which

Also in some versions of the service, the elaboration of the acts of worship are reduced, usually starting with a full choir and organ, or other form of elaborate accompaniment, which is gradually reduced. At one point the choir leaves and does not return, at another the organ, or other musical accompaniment ceases. Eventually the service ends by an abrupt silence, and people traditionally leave without comment, or talking to their associates or the priesthood.

In some places the use of a "great noise" is included as part of the service. The service is not considered to have finished until after everyone has left the place of worship.