Appeal of Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia

Dear brothers and sisters!

We are destined to live in a graceful and joyful time of the spiritual transformation in our Fatherland, in an epoch of restoring the former grandeur of the Church in Russia. Our society is returning to its fundamental moral origins, to faith and truth in God. The great number of reconstructed churches reflects vividly our desire to regain previously lost treasures of Orthodox culture, those within the country as well as those taken out of Russia.

An exciting example of Russian historical and cultural treasures is the set of bells of the Danilov Monastery, a unique religious relic. One of the few heavyweight collections of bells remaining in the world, the belfry of 18 bells (some of them were cast in the 17th century) was sold by the Soviet government in 1930. Preserved by the Divine Providence, it is now found in Harvard University, USA.

We have completed the first stage in the process of returning the Danilov bells back to the Danilov Monastery in Moscow. Obviously, the realization of this important project presupposes substantial expenses on the part of the Church that could cover the removal of the bells from the University bell-tower, their transportation and installation, as well as the creation of new substitute bells.

The Russian Orthodox Church appeals to all compatriots living both in Russia and abroad, as well as to all those appreciating the spiritual and cultural heritage of Russia, calling to contribute to this charitable undertaking. I hope that this action will find a considerable response in various circles of the world cultural community.

The return of the bells to the Danilov Monastery, the centuries-old bulwark of faith for the Russian people, will become a significant historical event in the life both of the Church and of the Russian State, for it presents one more powerful symbol of regaining the beauty and harmony of the soul.

Expressing my warm gratitude to all those wishing to participate in this project, I call for God’s blessing upon all of you!