By Rev. Gini DiStanislao
Do you hear the bells ringing? Praise Him with sounding cymbals; praise Him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! (Psalm 150:5-6)
We have been blessed by the gift of a set of Sanctus bells to the church. Rita Gulliksen knew how much The Rev. Gini DiStanislao loves hearing the bells as part of the service, and she graciously obtained a set for Manakin. We started using them at Easter, and Gini+ plans to use them during High Holy services and special occasions.
Sanctus bells are used during worship in many faith traditions, such as the Methodist, Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Anglican and Episcopal. Bells began to be used in the fifth century, but it wasn’t until the thirteenth century that they were used to call attention to significant parts of the service. Originally they were tolled outside by the bell tower, but later moved inside to be part of the service. There is currently a worldwide increased desire to restore their use during services. The bells are typically kept on the Epistle side of the altar and are rung by an acolyte. They are rung at four points during the Eucharistic Prayers. They are rung three times during the Sanctus, “Holy, Holy, Holy.” They are rung again when the bread is elevated and then again when the wine is elevated. The last time they are rung is at the Great Amen. They are to call attention to significant points during the consecration.