(NOTE: This article was originally posted on 10 March 2022 and has been updated as at 10 November 2022).
Everyone knows about the terrible events which continue to unfold in the Ukraine.
This is where the idea of bell ringing – as a means to show solidarity with, and support for, the people of Ukraine – has come from: a tweet by the Mayor of Lviv, Andriy Sadovyi, on 08 March 2022.
We have rung the bell at St James’ Church up to 107 times every day at 4pm from Thursday, 10 March 2022.
Daily bell-ringing continued until 24 April 2022, after which we moved to ringing the bell every Thursday at 4pm – from 28 April 2022.
Why starting on a Thursday?
Because the present invasion of Ukraine started on a Thursday (24 February 2022) and many Churches have been bell-ringing on Thursdays for that reason.
Why at 4pm?
Because, as explained in the Twitter video above, the request is to ring bells at 6pm Kiev time, which is 4pm local time in Lossiemouth.
Why up to 107 bell tolls?
The following information can be found in more than one place on the internet but a helpful article is available HERE.
This is a quote from that article:
“Throughout the action, each congregation will ring its bells 107 times, said Fields, to represent the 107 people who died in 2014 during the Maidan Revolution, also known as the Revolution of Dignity. The series of actions and protests, at that time eventually led to the ousting of former President Viktor Yanukovych, and to the election of Petro Poroshenko as president, according to Open Society Foundations.
“The Revolution that took place in Kyiv from Feb.18 to 23, 2014 led to the ousting of a Ukraine leader aligned with Russia. It is an extremely important event for Ukraine,” Fields said. “It is one of hope.””
Please consider making a donation to the humanitarian effort in Ukraine
For example, Christian Aid is partnering with local agencies in Ukraine and you can find out more about how you can help HERE.
