Why Do Church Towers Ring Bells?
Not all modern churches have a bell tower, but at one time they were considered an essential part of the church service. In those churches that still maintain them, bells are rung to serve as a summons to worship and prayer.
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Ancient Usage
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Bells have been used as part of religious rites since time immemorial. Mention is made of them in Exodus as a part of the Hebrew worship service, according to the Handbell Society of Australia.
In Christianity
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In the fifth century, Saint Paulinus used bells to summon monks to their worship. Sabinius, who was pope from 604 to 606, is given credit for introducing the custom of ringing bells to indicate the canonical hours and the celebration of the Eucharist.
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First Belfry
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Stephen II, pope from 752 to 757, added a belfry (the upper part of a steeple or tower which serves as a support for one or more bells) and three bells to Old St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
Church Decree
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By the end of the eighth century, bells and belfries were seen as an integral part of every church. By medieval canon law, cathedrals were required to have at least five bells, a parish church to have two or three and small chapels to have one.
Uses
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Beginning in the Middle Ages, the number of bells rung, or manner of ringing, indicated the type of service being celebrated, whether it was Sunday Mass, a wedding or a funeral, according to Adoremus, an association of Catholics devoted to the liturgy.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Busy again) (Athena Flickr
