Where does the expression “ for whom the Bell Tolls"? - The answer to this question can be found in the title of the story by the English writer Dorothy Sayers “ The Nine Tailors". The title of the story is not translated at all " Nine tailors", A " Nine strikes of the bell».
The fact is that in some church parishes in England they still observe a tradition that has its roots in the distant past. According to this very tradition, the death of the deceased was announced by ringing a bell. In a small village, news of a serious illness of one of its residents spread very quickly, so it was not difficult for neighbors to establish the identity of the deceased if they found out the person’s age and gender. The death, age and gender of the deceased were reported (in English - “ to tell") using separate measured strikes on the bell. Three strikes of the bell signaled the death of a child, two times of three strikes meant that the newly deceased was a woman, and, finally, three times of three strikes meant that a man had died. After a short pause, the bell announced the age of the deceased with approximately a 30-second interval between strikes. English word " teller» ( in Russian storyteller, storyteller) in some dialects has undergone changes to the form " tailor", hence the expression “ Nine tailors maketh a man" (in Russian " Nine strokes of the bell signal the death of a man."- remember three times three strikes?). And the bell, which is struck the required number of times, is called “ teller". The ringing made by this bell is called " toll".
In literature, there is already a novel by Hemingway called “For Whom the Bell Tolls” (“For Whom the Bell Tolls”) . In this regard, the translator of the detective story Dorothy Sayers had to come up with new translation for her " The Nine Tailors" so as not to repeat it already known to the world title of a novel by an American writer. Thanks to this, Russian-speaking fans of the detective genre know the story as “The Handwriting of a Murderer” translated by A. V. Yashina (2008, publishing house “World of Books”) or “Nine Blows for the Dead” translated by I. Arkhangelskaya, M. Vorsanova and others. (1998, Armada Press publishing house). “The Handwriting of a Murderer” is a good option, but an option closer to the original and the plot would still be “Nine Strikes for Peace.”
In Dorothy Sayers's book "Nine Strikes for Peace" you can learn not only interesting information about the tradition of bell ringing in England, but also some necessary vocabulary in order to communicate on this topic.
To begin with, it is worth noting that the British consider themselves the founders and zealous guardians of the traditions of bell ringing.
English church bell ringing can be divided into two types - the first is the ringing of large bells, which are rung in the bell tower on holidays or before the start of the service, and the second is the ringing of hand bells ( handbell ringing), which are called in a small room. The second type is more like a performance or concert.
The verb that should be used to describe the process of ringing a large bell is "to pull" (English: “pull”). The fact is that English bell ringers do not swing the tongue of the bell, as is customary in the Russian tradition, but rotate the bell using a wheel from which a long rope falls down. The end of the rope is noticeably thickened and is called « sally» or "sellie" . Thus, the bells are suspended high in the bell tower, while the bell ringers stand below and hold the flowing ropes of the bells in their hands "bellrope", at the ends of which "sally" and they pull, that is "pull the bell" .
The ringing of bells is translated into English by the word "peal" , and there are many types of bell ringing: change ringing, plain hunt, plain bob, ring of bells, treble, bobs, singles, doubles etc. And understanding these types is very difficult. For example, change ringing - this is a special type of bell ringing in Church of England, based on a mathematically organized sequence or order of bells. The bells do not ring in a circle, one after another and not simultaneously, but follow a clear pattern known to the bell-ringers, replacing each other. Plain hunting- a simple sequence of bells. It is with this type of bell ringing that beginners begin their training. Dodging- this is when one of the bells misses several strokes. Muffled peal- this is a muffled ringing, usually a funeral one.
The calls can be joyful or sad. Not only do they sound different, but they also require the use of different verbs for each action: “ When peace and pleasure is on the win we ring; At the departure of a soul we toll", Where « to ring" - happy to call, and "to toll" - slowly and steadily beat the bell. You can also find the verb "to clapper" - often denoting the chiming of small bells in a bell tower.
For each individual type of bell ringing it is necessary different quantities bells For full ringing, at least eight bells are required. IN English language the word “bell” is always feminine, regardless of the name that is usually given to the bell.
The main parts of the bell in English are called as follows: "shoulder"- shoulder, "waist"- body, "soundbow"- thickened edge or shaft, finally, "clapper"- the tongue of the bell.
There are many stable expressions and sayings associated with bells and ringing. For example, as brisk as a bell(brisk, sonorous, new), to have bats in one's belfry(to be out of your mind, to collapse), clear as a bell(about clarity, reliability and honesty of a person), where there's a wheel there's always a rope(Russian equivalent where there is honey, there are flies), born with the sound of Bow bells- a real Londoner, etc.
The English bell tradition is closely intertwined with other traditions and characteristic features the British - namely, humor and beer. Some church parishes draw up regulations for bell ringers. According to the regulations described in the above-mentioned story, bell ringers are entitled to a traditional English drink during work - beer, with which they are fortified during the grueling exercise in the bell tower. The old regulations for bell ringers read: “Keep stroke of time and go not out. Or ellse you forfeit out of doubt. For every fault a Jugg of beer"(translation: Don't miss the ringing of the bell. Otherwise, you will certainly receive a fine. For every mistake, the penalty is a mug of beer.) It is not said what size this mug should be, but capitalizing the word “Mug” implies that it is impressive. The charter also says the following: “If a bell you overthrow 'Twill cost you sixpence er you goe” (If a bell you overthrow, it'll cost you sixpence here you go) - translation: If you twist the bell, it will cost you sixpence.
With the advent, changes occur in liturgical practice. The order of reading kathismas changes: there is more reading, and less singing; the character of singing changes and becomes more restrained. Varieties of ringing appear that are unique to the period, for example sentries.On preparatory days By the way, on cheese Wednesday and Friday, there is no liturgy, but the reading of the Hours is performed according to the Lenten model. However, there is no need to ring the Lenten bell yet. This is indicated in the Typikon in chapter 49: “We don’t hit the campan during the hours.”
On Saturday and Sundays Fasting for the service is postponed, and the full liturgy is celebrated. Consequently, already on Friday, no great bows are required for Great Compline, and accordingly, non-fast bells are assigned for the evening services.
For vespers on Sundays The good news is set to sound on a large bell, since the fast itself begins after Vespers, and also because at these Vespers the entrance takes place and the Great Prokeimenon is proclaimed.
Every Sunday during the period is celebrated specially.
IN ends, and at the same time the use of the hourly chimes characteristic of this period ceases.
IN Saturday called , The good news is carried out on a festive bell, the trezvon rings on everything without a festive one. There are no instructions about this in the Typikon (there are in other charters, for example in the Novgorod official St. Sophia Cathedral). In many places, the ringing for this service is carried out using a holiday bell, and just like on the week of the Worship of the Cross, this ringing has already become traditional.
In this regard, we met with the bell ringer of the Gradoyakut Transfiguration Cathedral, Vitaly Kalugin, and learned a little about the bell ringing craft.
- What is the purpose of bell ringing?
The ringing of bells is needed in order to call people to worship services, as well as in order to announce to people about some important moments and features during the service. Also, the ringing of the bell reminds those people who are outside the temple that a service is now underway, that now is the time to pray, so that people have the memory of God. Often people, hearing the bell ringing and knowing what is happening in the temple now important point worship services, are baptized, thereby showing reverence for God and the church.
- What time do the bells ring?
The bells are rung at the beginning of the evening service, at the sixth psalm (this is approximately the middle of the service), at the Gospel and at the end of the service, when the Mother of God is glorified in her song “My soul magnifies the Lord.”
In the morning, during the Liturgy, the bell rings before the start of the service: at the reading of the third and sixth hours, before the start of the Liturgy itself, at the Eucharistic canon (this is the most important moment). They also call when they meet and see off the bishop, and at the end of the service. In some churches they ring the bell when reading the Creed prayer.
Bell ringing is required on Saturdays, because the Mother of God is glorified on Saturday, and on Sundays, since every Sunday is Little Easter.
- Is the ringing on holidays different from the ringing on ordinary days?
It's not fundamentally different. On major holidays - Easter or Christmas - the ringing is more solemn than on weekdays. The guard bell differs more from the holiday bell. During Lent, the bell is rung very rarely, the ringing is quieter, the bells are struck less forcefully, because on ordinary days, after each strike of the bell, the Trisagion is read: “Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us,” and during Lent - Psalm 50, so the interval between striking the bell increases. Thus, by ringing the watch, they show that it is time for reflection, prayer, and work on oneself.
During Holy Week, the ringing of bells will almost cease, because at this time we remember how Christ went to free suffering in order to atone for the sins of the human race. And on the night of Easter, bright and joyful peals will sound throughout the city.
In addition, there are traditions of bell ringing, depending on the temple and region. For example, in some churches the bells are rung more often or less often. Or in our country the ringing of bells can be heard during the Eucharistic canon, while in the south they often ring during the reading of the Creed.
- Tell us about the types of ringing.
The ringing is divided into blagovest and trezvon. Blagovest is gradual striking of a large bell so that the sound is uniform and not chaotic, as I already said, after each strike of the bell the prayer “Trisagion” is read, then the strike follows again.
Trezvon is the ringing of all the bells, when they ring three times with short intervals: they rang, stopped, rang. This ringing occurs before the start of the Liturgy, on holidays, and also when meeting the bishop.
Chime - ringing alternately from a large bell to a small one, such a ringing occurs at the burial of the shroud. Tribor is a ringing from small to large, and at the end all the bells are struck. For example, on Thursday Holy Week will read the Passion Gospels. For each Passion Gospel a bell is struck.
There is also a double ring. This is like a trezvon, but it rings twice. Usually this kind of ringing occurs before prayers and after the Liturgy.
If several Liturgies are served in one church, for example, early and late, then traditionally the early Liturgy has a less solemn ringing than the late one.
- What is the red ringing and the crimson ringing?
In Church Slavonic, the word “red” does not mean color, but “beautiful, comely.” Therefore, the red ringing is one of the most beautiful, brightest ringings. Such a ringing can be heard on Bright Week, when the whole city is filled with the melody sounding from the bell towers.
Raspberry ringing - according to one version, a cute ringing that is pleasant to the ear. According to another version, the crimson ringing is the ringing sounding from bells that were cast in the city of Malin on the territory of modern Belgium, which were then brought to Russia.
- Tell us about the types of bells.
There are three types of bells: bass, tenor and triplet. The bass ones are the largest, they are responsible for the bell. Tenor bells are medium in size, triplet bells are the smallest bells on the bell tower, which are used for triring, double-ringing, and chiming. Bass bells produce dull, heavy sounds, while tenor bells produce softer sounds. The bells vary in size, from several meters in diameter to several centimeters.
We can say that the entire bell tower is a large musical instrument that serves a good cause in preaching Christ.
- What are bells cast from?
The bells and tongues are 80% bronze and 20% tin. What is this composition for? Bronze is for strength, and tin is responsible for sound.
- How do they ring the bells?
The bell ringer monitors the service; as a rule, this is a person who knows the service well. At certain points in the service he climbs the bell tower and rings the bells.
To ring bells, you need leverage over them. Ropes are tied to the tongues of tenor and triplet bells, pulled close to the wall of the bell and struck, a bundle of tenor bell ropes is taken in one hand, and triplet bells in the other and struck. That is, the ropes tied to the tongues of the bells are in a tense position, you just need to hit them. And the trebles need to be pulled and ringing. They make pedals for the largest bells - bass bells, tie a rope to them and, by pulling it, make a sound from the bell. But if the bell is very large, it is struck not at one wall, but first at one, then at the other.
- Is it difficult to learn to call?
Any business is not easy to learn. The main thing here is practice, and seminary students have enough practice, because we participate in divine services and learn sextonism and the art of bell-ringing along the way. Now I’m in my 3rd year and I’m still learning and will continue to study bell-ringing, because there are still things that need to be learned better.
- What does it take to become a bell ringer?
Usually the abbot gives his blessing for bell ringing. For me, for example, this is one of the types of obedience.
- Where do they train to be bell-ringers?
There are schools of bell ringers in big cities - Moscow, Novosibirsk, in which both men and women are trained. But more often than not, the ability to ring bells is passed on from one person to another. For example, I was taught by more senior seminary students.
- Can those who want to look at the bells go up to the bell tower?
On Bright Week, everyone can go up to the bell tower and ring the bells - the bell ringer on duty or the sexton will lead you to the bell tower. It doesn’t matter whether you know how to call or not, they will help you and give you advice. And so you can rejoice at Easter with the ringing of the bell.
There is a tradition when, during the Easter period, bells are carried around populated areas where there are none, so that people can ring and thereby glorify the risen Christ.
On ordinary days, in order to climb the bell tower and ring the bells, you need to ask for a blessing from the rector of the temple.
Is it true that the sound of a bell has a healing effect?
IN spiritual sense I think yes. After all, the ringing of bells reminds us of God, thereby directing our mind to comprehend the Trinity.
- Do you think being a bell-ringer is a calling, or can anyone become one?
I think every person who has hearing can become a bell ringer if blessed. With God's blessing, God's help, nothing is impossible.
- What will the bell ring on Easter?
There will be a bright and constant ringing throughout the city for the procession of the cross, during the Liturgy. And as I noted above, such a ringing will continue throughout Bright Week.
They identify sad and solemn moments in people's lives. In this regard, the sound of bells is divided into two large categories, which have their own characteristics.
Actually the ringing
By church traditions, this type of sound is produced by a large number of bells and is divided into several varieties:
- Trezvon - ringing all bells three times with short breaks. The ringing of the trezvon means joy from a great Christian holiday.
- Double ringing - ringing a bell on all available instruments, but with a double break.
- Chime - multiple strikes on each bell in turn. They start with the main thing (large) and end with the smallest. The chime is repeated many times without interruption.
- Bust - starting with the smallest bell, everyone is struck one by one with a long break. After the last blow, all instruments are struck simultaneously. This order is repeated several times. Most often used during funeral events.
On the great feast of Epiphany, a special “water-blessing” chime is performed. It is performed with an overlap of 7 blows, moving from a large alarm to a small one.
For large cathedrals, where the bell tower has many different bells, “red” ringing is carried out on holidays. To produce it you need at least 5 bell ringers.
The most significant orthodox ringing got its name from bringing the good news. He convenes all Orthodox Christians for the beginning of the service. The announcement is made by striking the main bell in a special order:
- three drawn-out, rare;
- uniform.
If there are several “evangelists” in the bell tower, the bell ringer selects them by weight. The more serious the event, the heavier the bell.
Festive – produced on Easter. The bell ringer hits the largest instrument. But the festive gospel is sometimes permitted during other church events. For example, the consecration of the throne. To use this type of ringing, the blessing of the temple abbot is required.
Sunday - if there is a holiday evangelist, then Sunday is considered the second in weight.
Polyeleum – used for special services.
Everyday – evangelist is used to designate daily Orthodox services.
Lenten – strikes during Lent.
The types of evangelists determine the types of bell ringing. Their use on a given day depends on the determination of the abbot.
In Rus', another ringing was once used - the alarm. These are single alarm blows, notifying about a sad 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 cleanses the space around it, saturates it with love and goodness. Sound waves from bell towers travel in the form of a cross, which explains the powerful positive effect on physical body and the spiritual state of a person. It has been proven that with the help of bell vibrations, viral diseases are reduced and the psycho-emotional state returns to normal.
To heal and cleanse 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.
Get positive influence is possible only on the condition that the sounds do not irritate the person. A sound therapy session, 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 is the voice of the church and praise to the Lord God. By the way, in Soviet time, the first thing they did was blow up or dismantle the bell tower at the temple, first removing the bells. It is believed that the ringing of Orthodox bells drives away demons, gives a person moral and physical strength, that is, gives a person Grace.
The majestic ringing of bells, which is impossible not to hear, encouraged a person to break out of the whirlwind of earthly worries in order to turn to the eternal, to Heaven.
Whatever one may say, the ringing of bells is a reminder to people mired in vanity about God.
Clairvoyants (God forgive me) claim that when the bell rings, very strong energy is emitted.
Some scientists are confident that as a result of the sound of the bell, special microparticles that are smaller than an atom are formed in the surrounding air. By their direction they create a three-dimensional CROSS. They are the ones who have a purifying effect on the air and living organisms. It turns out that the sound, descending from heaven to earth, seems to baptize the area.
The ringing of a bell contains a wondrous power that penetrates deeply into human hearts (this manifests itself differently for everyone). There is a belief that the ringing of bells is a symbol of purification, a source of some pure energy.
When do the church bells ring?
IN ancient times people didn't have watches. The ringing of bells notified people about the start of a service or about some other event.
Currently, church bell ringing is usually used for:
1) to call Christians to and to notify about the time of its beginning;
2) to announce to those not present in the church the moment of the most important prayers and sacred rites during the liturgy and other services;
3) to express the festive celebration and spiritual joy of Christians, on the greatest days - in addition to divine services.
It is worth saying that the ringing of a bell accompanies all life Orthodox man- the sacrament, wedding, funeral service is performed with the ringing of bells. When they defeated the enemy, the winners were greeted with joyful ringing.
What type of bell ringing is there?
Blagovest is when first three rare, slow, drawn-out strikes are made on one bell, and then measured strikes follow. Blagovest, in turn,
divided into two types: ordinary (private), produced by the largest bell; Lenten (rare), produced by a smaller bell on weekdays
days of Great Lent. The Blagovest occurs three times: at Vespers, Matins and the hours before the Liturgy (before the early Liturgy).
Dvuznon This is ringing all the bells twice (in two steps).
Trezvon This is the ringing of all the bells, repeated three times after a short break. Treznon usually “calls” to the Liturgy and all-night vigil.
Chime this is the ringing of each bell in turn (one or several strikes), starting from the largest one to the smallest one, repeated several times.
It is performed at liturgy and on special solemn occasions.
Bust This is a slow ringing of each bell in turn, from smallest to largest. After hitting the big bell, they hit everything at once, and repeat this
many times. The bell is otherwise called a funeral bell; it expresses sadness and grief for the deceased. But the search always ends with a ringing sound like
a symbol of the Christian joyful news of the resurrection of the dead.
Alarm this is a very common one that happens during anxiety.
Special bells and ringings accompany solemn prayers, blessings of water, religious processions. After the end of the festive and Sunday liturgy, the trezvon is started.
By the way, according to tradition, on Easter and Bright Week (the week after Easter), any Orthodox Christian can climb the bell tower and glorify the risen Savior by ringing the bells. People call this time the bell week or the time of birth of bell ringers.
