Faucets

Bells and bell ringing. Bell ringing in Orthodoxy Types of bell ringing

According to established church traditions, bell ringing is divided into two large groups: the ringing itself and the blagovest.

First type: actual ringing

Church ministers call the bell ringing itself, which is produced using all or several church bells. This call is divided into several varieties:
- ringing;
- double chime;
- chime;
- bust.

The trezvon is made with the help of blows to everything. Such blows are carried out three times in three steps. First, they strike all the bells, then they make a short break, then again a blow and a break, then again a blow and a break. Thus, the bell ringing occurs three times.

When iterating after hitting the big bell, they hit all the bells at once and repeat this many times.

Double ringing - such a ringing is called blows that are made twice on all bells. At the same time, the bells are rung in two steps. A chime is the sequential extraction of a sound from a bell, which starts with the largest and ends with the smallest.

The enumeration is a slow ringing in turn to each bell 1 time, starting with the smallest and ending with the largest.

The second type of bell ringing: blagovest

Church ministers call the blagovest the measured blows to a huge bell. This type of impact is very well audible at a great distance. That is why the workers decided to use this bell ringing to convene the people for.

Such a ringing was called the blagovest, because with its help the good, good news about the beginning of the service is proclaimed.

The gospel is done in a certain way. First, the church servant makes three slow and lingering blows, while waiting for the sound to fade, and then makes more measured blows. At the same time, impact effects may differ, depending on the size of the bell itself. If it is relatively large, they are produced along the entire diameter of the bell. If it is not very large, the tongue of the bell is simply pulled with a rope to its edge and, with the help of a laid board, strikes are made by pressing the foot.

In turn, the blessing is divided into several varieties:
- ordinary (frequent) - such ringing is produced using the largest bell;
- (rare) - such ringing is performed with a small bell during Lent.

If the temple has several large bells, and this is possible with large monasteries, cathedrals, laurels, then large bells, depending on their purpose, are divided into several types:
- Sunday;
- festive;
- everyday (ordinary);
- polyoleic;
- small.

Having fallen in love with the church bell ringing, the Russian Orthodox people connected with it all their solemn and sad events. Therefore, the Orthodox bell ringing serves not only to indicate the time of the Divine service, but also serves as an expression of joy, sadness and triumph. That's where they came from different kinds ringing and each of them has its own name and meaning.

Church bell ringing is divided into two main types: blagovest and actually ringing.

Blagovest are called measured blows to one big bell. With this ringing, believers are summoned to the temple of God for Divine service. This ringing is called the Annunciation because it proclaims the good, good news about the beginning of Divine services.

Blagovest is performed as follows: first, three rare, slow, drawn-out blows are made (until the sound of the bell stops), and then measured blows follow. If the bell is very large or huge, then these measured blows are made by swinging the tongue to both edges of the bell. If the bell is relatively small, then its tongue is attracted by the rope quite close to its edge, a board is placed on the rope and blows are made by pressing the foot.

Blagovest, in turn, is of two types:

1. common or frequent- produced by the largest bell;

2. Lean or Rare- produced by a smaller bell, on the seven days of Great Lent.

If there are several large bells at the temple, and this happens at cathedrals, large monasteries, laurels, then the large bells, in accordance with their purpose, differ in the following bells: 1) festive; 2) Sunday; 3) polyoleic; 4) simple day or everyday; 5) fifth or small bell.

Usually in parish churches there are no more than two or three large bells.

Actually ringing ringing is called when all the bells are rung at once or several bells are rung.

It comes in several types:

1. trezvon- this is the ringing of all the bells, then a small break, and the second ringing of all the bells, again a small break, and the third time the ringing of all the bells, i.e. ringing all the bells three times or ringing in three steps.

The trezvon expresses Christian joy, triumph.

In our time, not only the ringing of all bells three times, but, in general, the ringing of all bells has come to be called trezvon.

2. double chime- this is ringing all the bells twice, in two steps.

3. Chime- this is ringing alternately in each bell (one or more strokes in each bell), starting from the largest to the smallest, and this is repeated many times.

4. Bust- this is a slow ringing in turn at each bell once, starting from the smallest and ending with the largest, and after hitting the big bell, they strike all the bells together at once, and repeat this many times.

In practice, church bell ringing is divided into two main types: 1 - blagovest and 2 - the ringing itself.

The most ancient canonical ringing of the Orthodox Church is the blagovest, that is, the good, good news about the beginning of Divine services, which is measured blows to one of the large bells in order to call the faithful to prayer in the temple.

Appearing at a time when churches could have at least one bell, this type of ringing continued to exist along with other, more complex ones. Since then, the only thing that has changed is that the role of the annunciation bell, according to the rites, began to be performed by various (as a rule, the largest) bells. They are often called evangelists.

Blagovest is performed as follows: first, three rare, slow, drawn-out blows are made (until the sound of the bell stops), and then measured blows follow. If the bell is very large, then these measured blows are made by swinging the tongue to both edges of the bell. If the bell is relatively small, then in this case its tongue is pulled with a rope quite close to its edge, a board is placed on the rope and blows are made by pressing the foot.

The tempo of the blagovest, as well as the choice of strokes (to one or both ends), depends on the bell ringer, the size of the bells and the ringing system. When sounding a small bell, it is possible to adjust the tempo, but if the tongue is connected to the pedal with a rope, the ringing is made only at one end. In large lingual and ocular bells, the tempo does not depend on the desire of the ringer. In the first case, it is set by the frequency of movement of the pendulum tongue, and in the second case, by the speed of the collision of the bell itself with the tongue.

If there are several large bells at the temple, and this happens at cathedrals, laurels, large monasteries, then the large bells (evangelists), in accordance with their purpose, differ in the following:

- festive - the largest and heaviest bell in terms of weight, which was announced on the twelfth and great holidays, as well as on some other especially solemn occasions;
- Sunday - the second largest bell used during Sunday services;
- polyeleos - the third bell, for the good news on the holidays of the apostles and saints, as well as saints, who, according to the charter, serve polyeleos;
- everyday or weekday - the next largest, for ringing on weekdays;
- Lenten - a bell that announces the gospel during Great Lent.

The weight of the bells, intended for the same occasion, but located on different bell towers, was different. For example, a bell, close in weight to the polyeleic or everyday one of one bell tower, could be festive on another, and so on.

Of course, not every bell tower had and still has such a complete set of evangelists. Usually in parish churches there are no more than two large bells: the first played the role of festive, Sunday and polyeleos, and the second - everyday and Lenten. Or even one at a time, which can be observed on the bell towers of the Novgorod churches of St. Apostle Philip and St. Righteous Lazarus the Four Days at the Western Cemetery.

In addition to names directly related to liturgical practice, bells can bear names or nicknames. For example, in pre-revolutionary times, there were several evangelizers on the belfry of St. Yuriev Novgorod Monastery. The “Burning Bush” bell (1838, 2100 poods) was used as a “festive” bell, the “Sunday” bell was called the “Cross” (1838, 1140 poods), “George” served as a “polyeleos” bell (1827, 523 poods) , “daily” - “Archangel Gabriel” (1828, c. 267 pounds), and as “Lenten” could be used “Nicholas the Wonderworker” (1838, 134 pounds) or “Holy Prophet Nathan” (1838, c. 63 pounds).

It should be noted that the names and nicknames of bells are not significant for the charters of ringing, they are used only in the context of names in descriptions or other cases not directly related to their status.

Depending on the order of Divine service, large bells-evangelizers, in accordance with the Church Charter, are used for the following types of evangelism: festive, Sunday, everyday three degrees of solemnity and Lenten.

The festive blagovest is appropriate during the celebration of the twelfth holidays, and its ringing is carried out by frequent strikes on both sides of the largest bell (“bolshak”). Sunday - on Sundays and on the eve of large church holidays in the second largest bell (“sub-large”). The Annunciation for the All-Night Vigil is first chimed by the big bell slowly and for a long time, and on major feasts it is more solemn and longer. Polyeleic - performed to a polyeleic saint, as well as in some other cases. Everyday, the least solemn blagovest, is scheduled for Small Vespers, Compline, Midnight Office and the Hours, and it is beaten daily with beats of moderate frequency on the smallest of the large bells or the middle one. The small, or fasting, blagovest is used in the ringing of the Divine Services of Great Lent and at the beginning of the Small Supper, and is played with rare strokes. If there is only one large bell in the church, then it is the only bell and is used in all cases.

Another type of bell ringing is the actual ringing, when all the bells or several bells are rung at once. Ringing in all bells differs in trezvon, dvuzvon, chime, enumeration. Let's analyze them in a little more detail.

Trezvon is the most complex and polyphonic type of bell ringing and is a ringing of all the bells, then a small break and a second ringing of all the bells, again a small break and a third ringing of all the bells, that is, ringing all the bells three times or ringing in three steps .

The trezvon in its form is not limited by the Church Charter and therefore can be different in the composition of bells, in the form of performance, and in rhythm. Its character is different depending on the size of the bass bells that set the tempo of the ringing. If they are very large, then the pace will be moderate, and the ringing will turn out to be majestic, solemn and strict. On the contrary, if the bass bells have the ability to give a more mobile tempo, then the ringing will turn out to be alive.

Depending on the number of bells used, the chime can be: small (small and medium bells), medium (all, but without the largest) and great (“breaking bad”). In our time, not only the ringing of all bells three times, but the ringing of all bells in general has come to be called trezvon.

Double ringing is the ringing of two or more bells twice (in two steps). The leading function of the double chime is to announce the beginning of the second part of the All-Night Vigil - Matins, which expresses the joy of the Nativity of Christ.

Chime - ringing, consisting of an alternate strike on each bell (one or more strikes each), from the largest to the smallest. In different traditions, the chime may end with a chord in all bells. There are different types of calls. Each bell ringer has its own varieties of chimes that are established in a certain sequence or form, originality and beauty depend on the imagination and talent of the performer. The chime can be used as an introduction to the main chime or as a link between its various parts.

In church practice, the most common are rare, or slow, and frequent chimes.

Slow chimes are slow single strikes, one at each bell, starting with the largest, most powerful sound, gradually reaching the thinnest and highest sound of a small bell. According to the established tradition, such a chime takes place twice a year: on Holy Week - on Good Friday and on Great Saturday. It symbolizes the "exhaustion" of the Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of all Christians.

The frequent chime is distinguished by frequent and fast repeated strikes (from 3 to 7 times) to each bell. It is set for the rank of consecration to the bishops and for the blessing of water. In the ringing of water, quite frequent and strong blows to the large bell are picked up by the next largest bell, thus reaching the smallest one, and when the cross is immersed in water, a chime is played.

Busting is a funeral, wire, or death knell, expressing sadness and grief for a dead person. According to the classical canons, it is performed in the reverse order than the chime, i.e. consists of a slow, alternate, once ringing of each bell, starting from the smallest to the largest, followed by a strike on all the bells. Nevertheless, in church practice there are cases when the enumeration is carried out randomly.

The slow enumeration of the bells from the smallest to the largest symbolizes the growing human life on earth from the cradle to maturity, and the simultaneous strike of the bells means the termination of earthly life by human death, in which everything that a person has acquired for this life is left. The enumeration necessarily ends with a brief chime, symbolizing the joyful Christian faith in the resurrection of the deceased. Thus, when the deceased is carried to the funeral service in the temple, a mournful enumeration is performed, and when he is brought into the temple, a ringing is performed. After the funeral, when the deceased is taken out of the temple, the enumeration is again performed, ending also with a chime.

Holiday bells are especially loved by the people, among which the so-called red ringing is distinguished, which is performed at all bells (“in all seriousness”). In the Church Charter, this is the name given to the ringing of all bells without a big one on Holy Week and from St. Thomas to All Saints' Week. As a rule, red ringing occurs at cathedrals, laurels, monasteries, i.e. where there are a large number of bells. Red ringing can be performed by one ringer or several. First of all, it is used to designate a beautiful, festive ringing with a consonant selection of bells, performed on major holidays, during joyful and solemn events in the life of the Church and society. Usually ringers call their best chime red and make sure that this ringing, which glorifies God, is red and magnificent.

However, the above types do not exhaust the whole variety of bell ringing. Classical bells became the basis for the emergence of a whole constellation of various bell chimes: everyday, wedding, all-day and others. So, all-day ringing was practiced on especially important occasions - at Christmas, Easter, during the celebration of an event of national importance (enthronement of a patriarch, accession to the throne, birth of an heir, etc.), and depending on this, it had its own characteristics. The Easter ringing, along with the ringing of all the bells during the procession around the church on Easter, is also considered as a ringing made during the entire Easter week by anyone who dares to climb the bell tower and try himself as a bell ringer.

In the history of bell ringing, there are also counter-ringing. They were performed along the way of a high official, including a clergyman, in all associated churches and were of an upbeat and festive character.

They identify sad and solemn moments in people's lives. In this regard, the chime of the bells is divided into two large categories, which have their own characteristics.

Actually ringing

According to church traditions, this type of sound is produced large quantity bells and is divided into several varieties:

Trezvon - three-time strikes on all bells with short breaks. Trezvon means the joy of a great Christian holiday.
Double ringing - a bell ringing in all available instruments, but with a double break.
Chime - multiple strikes on each bell in turn. Start with the main (large) and end with the smallest. The chime is repeated many times without interruption.
Bust - starting with the smallest bell, they hit everything in turn with a long break. After the last blow, they hit all the instruments at the same time. This order is repeated several times. It is most commonly used in funeral arrangements.

On the great feast of Epiphany, a special “water-sanctified” chime is held. It is performed with an overlap of 7 beats, moving from a large alarm to a small one.

At large cathedrals, where the bell tower has many different bells, “red” ringing is held on holidays. It requires at least 5 bell ringers to make it.

The most significant Orthodox ringing got its name from the carrying of the good news. He calls all the Orthodox to the beginning of the service. The blagovest is made by striking the main bell in a special order:

three long, rare;
uniform.

If there are several "evangelizers" on the bell tower, the bell ringer chooses them by weight. The more serious the event, the heavier the bell.

Festive - produced on the holiday of Easter. The ringer strikes the largest instrument. But the festive evangelism is sometimes allowed under other church events. For example, the consecration of the throne. To use this type of ringing, the blessing of the rector of the temple is required.

Sunday - if there is a festive evangelist, then Sunday is considered the second in weight.

Polyeleic - used for special services.

Everyday - the evangelist is used to refer to daily Orthodox services.

Lenten - strikes during Lent.

Varieties of evangelists determine the types of bell ringing. Their application on a given day depends on the determination of the abbot.

In Russia, another ring was once used - the alarm. These are single disturbing strikes, announcing a mournful everyday event: an invasion of enemies, a fire, a flood, or any other disaster.

The power of the bell ringing is so strong that it clears the space around it, saturates it with love and kindness. Sound waves from the bell towers propagate in the form of a cross, which explains the powerful positive effect on the physical body and spiritual state of a person. It has been proven that with the help of bell vibrations, viral diseases and the psycho-emotional state returns to normal.

For the treatment and purification of the soul, the ringing of bells can be listened to in recordings on high-quality media and without the use of headphones. It is recommended to enjoy live sound at least once a year.

You can get a positive influence only on the condition that the sounds do not irritate the person. A session of sound therapy, even with a live bell, should not exceed 20 minutes.

have different abilities and. But the positive impact depends on the strength of a person's faith in God.

The ringing of bells causes joyful surprise in every person, regardless of whether he is a believer or not. The play of bells makes people, against their will, look towards the temple and smile.

A bell tower with several melodious voices is the pride of every temple. The ringing of bells, which has healing power for Orthodox souls, depending on the type, “calls” people to serve, “sings” during the celebration and sounds like an alarm when in danger.

Hearing the bell ringing, you need to cross yourself and pray

What is the purpose of church bells

In the arrangement of a Christian temple, each thing has its own purpose. The souls of Orthodox Christians, when listening to church overflows, are filled with light, joy, peace, tranquility. When the bells sound like alarms, Christians know that trouble has happened.

Orthodox ringing is filled with amazing power, which has the ability to penetrate into human hearts.. In church sounds and overflows, Russian Orthodox people have learned to distinguish between triumph, call and alarm, hearing a certain ringing.

An amazing phenomenon - when the bells sound, the doves, the prototypes of the Holy Spirit, do not fly away, but, on the contrary, rush to the temples.

Hearing the chimes, the Orthodox people rush to the Divine Services, to which they are called by the rhythmic strikes of the bell. Sounds announcing the triumph of the Church and festive services fill the hearts of believers with fun and joy. Triumph and veneration are caused by chimes during solemn divine services.

Types of bell ringing

Having fallen in love with the church bell ringing, the Russian Orthodox people connected with it all their solemn and sad events. Orthodox bell ringing serves not only as an indication of the time of Divine service, but also as a filling of joy, sadness and triumph. Hence, various types of ringing appeared, and each type has a name and meaning.

A bell ringer can only be a churched personpossessing certain qualities:

inner flair;
sense of rhythm;
sound knowledge;
knowledge of performance techniques;
knowledge of the Church Rule.

The bell-ringer must be a prayer book and observe fasts in order to convey to the people the triumph of Orthodoxy through the overflow of sounds.

The ringer paints with sound, like an artist paints

Hearing the steady beats of the big bell, the Orthodox know that this is the good news. , call to worship .

The more significant the event, the greater God's voice is chosen:

The festive blagovest sounds on Easter or on special holidays; for its sounding, the blessing of the rector of the temple is necessary.
The Sunday Annunciation sounds on Sundays, the Polyeleic - for special services.
Everyday services begin with the daily evangelism, and in Great Lent - Lenten.
The alarm announces trouble, thank God, it sounds extremely rare.

With successive repeated blows to all the bells in the church, chimes, prayers for the blessing of water, Liturgies, and temple holidays are announced.

At the actual bell ringing, the bell ringer strikes two bells.

The trezvon speaks for itself, at this time all the bells, large and small, work, each time it strikes three times with a short break. Low and sonorous sounds fly straight into the sky and the souls of Christians, announcing the beginning of the Divine service or the end of the gospel.

Morning, monastic healing ringing from all diseases

History of the appearance of bells

The first mention of bells was found in documents that are more than 6 thousand years old. The prototype of the wondrous work is the bell flower, whose petals come into motion at the slightest breath of the wind. The first task of the bells was to give a signal. They were put on pets, hung on doors.

Interesting about Orthodoxy:

China is considered the birthplace of the first cast bells, where bells are used in purification rites. According to legend, the master could not mix the necessary metals to achieve the desired sound, all products either cracked or did not sound. On the advice of the monks, the master's daughter threw herself into the molten metal, and the first big bell "Lovely Flower" sounded throughout China.

Egyptian monks were the first to use bell ringing to call Christians to services.

For information! Church chimes acquired the greatest distribution in Russia in the 16th century, surpassing in weight all available in European countries.

God's voice has become an element of Russian culture. According to legend, bell chimes drive away evil spirits, therefore, during times of pestilence, the invasion of enemies, church bells did not stop.

Over time, even musical notation appeared for playing these unique works of human hands. In Russia, bell ringing festivals are often held, filling everything around with God's glory.

The world's largest Assumption bell - "Tsar Bell"

Healing power of bells

Scientists have proven that bell chimes have healing power not only in cleansing the space from evil spirits, but also in healing people.

An amazing discovery made by researchers shows that church sounds propagate in space in waves in the form of a cross, having a positive effect on the physical, mental and spiritual state of a person.

Repeatedly, Christians have noted recovery, deliverance from birth diseases after being under the cover of the play of God's voice. Especially the ringing of bells has healing power in case of psycho-emotional diseases.

Modern achievements make it possible to listen to various overflows of church music in the recording, being indoors, thereby clearing the surrounding space from evil spirits.

Advice! Turn on the songs of bell overflows and enjoy the joy and peace in your home, not forgetting that sound therapy lasts no more than half an hour.

Bell ringing. Space cleansing and healing