The Baltiysky Zavod works cast the bell for an Orthodox church in Latvia

THE BALTIYSKY ZAVOD WORKS CAST THE BELL FOR AN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN LATVIA

On August 22, 2002, the screw propeller workshop of the Baltiysky Zavod began to cast a bell for the Orthodox church of Archangel Michael in Gravera, Daugavpils region, Latvia. According to the Orthodox tradition, Metropolitan Alexander of Riga and All Latvia blessed the casting of the bell, which will have the engraving “From St. Petersburg on its 300th anniversary, 2003 A.D.” St. Petersburg Governor Vladimir Yakovlev attended the ceremony.

Metropolitan Alexander requested Governor Yakovlev to help the community of the church, which was built in 1836, when an official delegation from St. Petersburg visited Riga in August 2001 on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the Latvian capital.

In February 2002, the contractor submitted a model of the bell weighting 380 kg. which was approved by the commissioner. Anatoly Lyalinov, Doctor of Technical Sciences, professor at the Communications University and chief designer of bell systems, spires and domes, developed the working drawings. The initiative was supported and financed by private persons, whose names will be indicated on the inside of the bell. The bell will be completed by September 15.

Reported by ABN and IMA-Press news agencies