Epiphany in Nelepino. Part two.

The continuation of the article about Epiphany in Nelepino (ua. Неліпино, Hung. Harsfalva) of Svalyava region. Here is the beginning of the article.

And this part of the log has the fragment of the picture the "the Crown". A big part of the picture on the large log was taken to the diocese. That is all what remains.



People have seen upside down head of "Crucified Savior" at the bottom of the cross from the left side ... If you look at it, perhaps there is something like...



After I have looked at the logs I was kindly allowed to take pictures in the church. Inside there was the shadow. Look, what fantastical light was at the shrine area and lightened the patterned floor...



This is a view from the balcony to the nave and the altar area with an iconostasis.



The ringer Volodya has made friends with me for half an hour of my staying in the church. He invited me into the holy of holies an old stony tower belfry. Several passages of the steep wooden stairs I crawled on my knees and we were in a room at the top of the tower under the roof where the old bells hang. The church looks like new one only outside. The stonework is original inside and it points out that the church has more than 150 years (1856). He gave me the rubber plugs to my ears and recommended to use them. I did not argue. I understood why I had to use the rubber plugs when the bell has rang. The sound was so strong and it was difficult to stay next to it. The vibration from the sound was transmitted into the lungs and it was difficult to breath. It seemed an eternity while Vladimir was ringing the bell during 5-7 minutes. It should be mentioned that heavy bell was moving right next to my face. At first when I went down I could not hear anything. Till now, I have buzzing in my ears and headache. But impressions are unforgettable. As Volodya has said, four windows have to be opened. If you won`t open them you will be deaf definitely. Each window is opening while saying a certain couplet of the prayer.

These are two small bells of the belfry. Left one was melted in 1925. Right one was approximately of the mid-nineteenth century. Earlier the bells were in the belfry which was not far from church in the old cemetery. There was the fire in the belfry and the bells were melted only one bell managed to save the right one. If to look carefully you can see the traces of «melting».



The big bell is also from 1925. The other bells were taken to the military purpose.



The ringer Volodya is working.



He easy «manages» the big bell…



…and two small ones…



You can see the whole village from the tower of the church….



When I said goodbye and left the church I was a little disappointed. The priest Dmitriy was standing on the porch and asked me about who allowed me to take photos of the symbols. I said that ringer allowed me but then I understood that it was not a good idea. Somehow I know how cruel can be the churchmen. But I heard for the first time how Father Dmitrij was swearing. He told me nice words: "If there is a master of the church" the priest said "It is necessary to ask his permission". Then he understood that he said something wrong and he corrected himself and said « God is the master of the church but you had to ask my permission». Volodya was punished. He had to do "100 bows". I have apologized once more and then I said good-bye and went to the car. While I was packing my camera father Dimitrij came to me and apologized that he has been rude to me. He said that Volodya was very initiative and would be punished now. Then he checked my notebook and notes which I wrote down from Volodya`s words and went down the street. After that I went to Uzhhorod with the grin on my face.


Beginning: Epiphany in Nelepino. Part one.

19.04.2011. 08:53

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