Magnificent imperial bell from Russia arrives to Krusevac monastery: It can be heard in 50 kilometer radius

Photo: RINA

A magnificent imperial bell has arrived to the Serbian Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Apostle Luka (Luke) from Russia's St. Petersburg. The faithful people welcomed this bell weighing over 13 tons, which can be heard in a radius of 50 kilometers, with great joy.

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That Serbia also has its reasons to be proud is best proven by the Kremenovic family from the village of Belosavci near Topola, reports RINA.

This is the only place in the entire region where bells are being cast for more than two decades, and so far over 2,000 have come out of the foundry, their sound resonating on all continents.

"Bells from Topola are ringing in Australia, America, Switzerland, Russia, even in Israel, but they are also heard throughout Serbia. We also cast bells for almost all monasteries in Kosovo and Metohija. It is a special honor to be able to, at least in some way, contribute to preserving our holy places," says Nemanja Kremenovic, the owner of the Belosavac foundry.

Although there have been technological advances, bells are still made in the traditional way here, just like 100 years ago - in sand, while the drying is done with the help of wood and charcoal. Bell masters from Topola say that there is no difference between Orthodox and Catholic bells and that what distinguishes them is precisely the sound.

"We see bells that are often decorated, engraved with phenomenal handwork, but that takes away a lot from their sound. The best sound is achieved when a bronze bell is polished to a high shine without any details on it," reveals Nemanja.

In addition to bells, the Kremenovic foundry also produces horoses and polyeleoses (special church chandeliers), and each of them has its own story, because no two horoses are ever the same.

"If we enter a church and see some feature, we try to incorporate it into the polyeleos so that it is specific, special and intended only for that church," this craftsman from Topola stressed.

Metal casting of this type is pretty much sidelined, so anyone who decides to do it, says Nemanja, will have work because this old craft is worth its weight in gold. In addition to skillful hands, it is necessary to have an artistic spirit. Zeljko Ivanovic, who has been casting bells for more than two decades, says that it is a special feeling when you hear the sound of a church bell ring out through Topola and know that it is the work of your own hands.

"Young people rarely choose this profession, but they should know that the work is not difficult and has special charm," says Zeljko.

Experts say that no instrument in the world produces vibrations like church bells, they also signify the divine presence, and therefore the craftsmen who make them carry great responsibility - and in the foundry near Kremenovic, they seem to be very well aware of this.

(Telegraf.rs)