An unusual name for a day in Holy Week, Spy Wednesday relates to the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot on the night before the Last Supper.
It is recorded in Matthew 26:14-16: Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.
This action by Judas earned him the title of “spy” by medieval Christians, in accord with the traditional definition of the English word, “one who keeps secret watch on a person or thing to obtain information.”
From Wednesday onward, Judas secretly watched for a chance to turn Jesus over to the chief priests, and so many Christians in the English-speaking world labeled this day as “Spy Wednesday.”
The day took on a different name in various cultures, but still reflected the somber mood of this day by calling it “Black Wednesday” or “Wednesday of Shadows,”
It is also called “Silent Wednesday,” as the Gospels do not record any activities in the life of Jesus. The only event is the secret meeting of Judas with the chief priests.
Wednesday’s events usher in the final days of Jesus’ life on earth and directly lead to the sacrifice of Jesus on Good Friday.
The Catholic Church observes the Tenebrae service on spy Wednesday. Tenebrae (which means “darkness” in Latin) service features a unique symbolism of darkness. It involves the gradual extinguishing of candles on a Tenebrae hearse, scripture readings about Jesus’ Passion, and a strepitus (loud noise), often symbolizing the darkness and despair surrounding Christ’s death and the abandonment of Jesus by his followers.