Topic: Proper times to ring Bells during Liturgy

[historicus]

Greetings, and I'd like to thank anyone in advance who is willing to assist me with resolving my dilemma. I have attempted to use the search feature and found some interesting discussions on the topic, including the thread below.

http://www.orthodoxchristianity.net/forum/index.php/topic,7401.0.html

However, I am still searching for answers to my question.

A bit of background first:

Our Church bells, the actual cast bells hanging in the tower have not worked for a very long time for a couple reasons, and we have not the funding to repair. Several years ago our Church added the new electronic machines from Verdin to simulate bells, and although not the same, it does have some wonderful potential.

After seeing this device not used properly for a few years I volunteered to manage it, and now find myself with the daunting task of making it work right.

My question is simple:

Is there proper protocol for when they are rung, before - during - and after the Liturgy? And if so, are there also proper peals?

The peals that came with it just do not seem Eastern nor do they seem like the peals our "real" bells played. We did purchase a package suitable, but it contains melodies and chimes traditional in the Ukrainian and Carpatho Rusyn heritage, not necessarily peals, or sequences.

I am certainly able to program the seasonal chimes so they play at the proper times throughout the week given the season, but how I make this device work during the service is now my main objective.

Does anyone know where I can find some literature on the proper bell sequencing for a Divine Liturgy?

Thanks
- h

[augustin717]

I suppose it varies among jurisdictions/ethnicities and even regions within the same jurisdiction.
Back home we ring them  at the beginning, small entrance, great entrance, consecration and "Axion".
On Easter also at the reading of the Gospel.

[Fr. George]

At my present parish we don't ring them "on demand," but it is pre-programmed (and it doesn't broadcast inside, so I'm not sure when that is).

At my home parish, we rang the bells at the Doxology and the Consecration.  At the theological school, we rang them 5 minutes (or was it 10?) before each service, then again during the doxology, at the consecration, and at the Apolytikia of Great Vespers, plus additionally at any time we sang the hymn, "Christ is Risen."

[Tallitot]

In some OCA parishes they are also rung at the end of certain verses of the Creed.

[Stephen Barrow]

From the Blagovest Bells website:

http://www.russianbells.com/ringing/typikon-bellringing.pdf

The above PDF explains how they are rung according to the Russian Typikon.

[mike]

At my Church: before the Liturgy, during Creed, during Lord's Prayer.

[historicus]

I suppose it varies among jurisdictions/ethnicities and even regions within the same jurisdiction.

I very much expect that eventually this will be the final answer; depending on Geography/Culture as opposed to doctrine.

Thank you

[historicus]

At my present parish we don't ring them "on demand," but it is pre-programmed (and it doesn't broadcast inside, so I'm not sure when that is).

Fr. George, can you elaborate on broadcasting inside? Do you mean electronic chimes?

Our new chimes only broadcast outside as well, and tonight I am attempting to find some inside volume control on the internal amplifier.

thanks

[historicus]

From the Blagovest Bells website:

http://www.russianbells.com/ringing/typikon-bellringing.pdf

The above PDF explains how they are rung according to the Russian Typikon.

Outstanding resource.

Many thanks !