Veliky Novgorod, May 28, 2025
Photo: vk.com
Following comprehensive restoration, a bell set, including one from the 17th century, was returned to its historical place in the belfry of the St. Nicholas Cathedral in Veliky Novgorod.
The first bell of the set was cast in 1687 specifically for the cathedral, weighing 1.8 tons.
By the end of the 19th century, the set included eight bells. In 2002, due to the emergency condition of the Sophia Bell Tower, the Novgorod Museum and Preserve decided to move the bells to the foot of the tower.
And having been placed again the bell tower, the set was blessed by His Eminence Metropolitan Lev of Novgorod on Monday, May 26, the diocese reports.
Photo: vk.com
And as the set grew larger over time, it will continue to do so. “There will now be 19 bells,” said Vyacheslav Volkhonsky, senior researcher at the Novgorod Museum-Reserve.”
“This should be a bell tower where festivals can be held, bell ringers can be invited, so they can show their mastery,” he said, adding that the bells should, of course, also be used liturgically.
After the service, the Metropolitan congratulated those present and noted: “During the consecration, we asked the Lord to sanctify these bells, and that by the sound emanating from them, everything on our Novgorod land would be purified. Thank you to all who labored for this event!”
St. Nicholas Cathedral, founded by Mstislav the Great of Kiev in 1113, is the oldest surviving building in the central part of Veliky Novgorod after the St. Sophia Cathedral.
Follow OrthoChristian on Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, MeWe, and Gab!
