Moscow Bell Center (Moscow)

 orthodox christianity, Neoclassical (architecture), belfry, 1905_construction, music school

Part of the Church of Nicholas at Zayaitsky, the Moscow Bell Centre has been operating since 1995 with the blessing of His Holiness, the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Aleksei II. Its aim is to prepare highly qualified bell ringers for Russian Orthodox Churches. It is open primarily to those recommended by temples and monasteries, but also anyone wishing to study bell ringing may be accepted. The period of study is three months. The program consists of theoretical courses, as well as practical studies of tolling church bells. An official certificate is granted upon completion of studies.

The Bell Center is located in warehouses that were constructed in the late 19th early 20th century as rental properties for the Church of St. Nicholas at Zayaitsky. The storehouses have been restored to their earlier appearance and the space is now used for a book shop, book publishing facilities, an icon-painting shop, a distribution center for libraries and a book depository (the pre-revolutionary parish library of the church of St. Nicholas in Zayaitsky was one of the largest in Moscow). The ground floor is intended to accommodate sales areas, a refectory with kitchen for celebrating festivals, a bakery, a garage with a welding shop and some storage rooms.

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