At Easter, many Frankfurt residents experienced the beautiful tradition of the great city ringing at home instead of on Paulsplatz or Römerberg. No comparison to the "original", but in times of Corona simply safer. Because even if the number of cases is declining and there have been numerous relaxations in recent weeks, the virus is still among us and can - if the distance and hygiene rules are not observed - spread again at any time. The case of a service in a Baptist church in Frankfurt has just made this very clear. And therefore it is also advisable at Pentecost to avoid large gatherings of people and to listen to the city bells at home.
Whoever decides, however, to listen to the sound of the bells on site, should absolutely adhere to the necessary distance regulations. Then nothing stands in the way of a common experience of this Pentecost tradition. Because especially this year Pentecost has a very special meaning. Because Pentecost stands for understanding and the spreading of faith across national, ethnic and linguistic barriers. The sending of the Holy Spirit is celebrated on this ecclesiastical feast, which is regarded as the birth of the Church. Pentecost should therefore be understood as an encouragement to actively stand up for fundamental values and convictions.
"Especially at Pentecost, the tones of our unique city bell are sounds of hope and a mandate for respectful coexistence at the same time. This is especially important in the current time of the Corona crisis, as hope builds the crucial bridge to the time after the current restrictions. Responsible interaction with one another promotes a healthy and peaceful coexistence, just as living according to Christian values does," says mayor and church deputy Uwe Becker. "This also includes meeting each other respectfully and standing up for each other in solidarity in these challenging times. Only together will we be able to withstand the Corona crisis in Frankfurt."
The sending of the Holy Spirit will also be commemorated in Frankfurt on the Saturday before Pentecost by a very special kind of sound experience. The bells of the ten inner-city churches will ring out on May 30 from 4:30 to 5 p.m. to accompany the great ringing of the city bells. To pause together for half an hour and listen to the special sound artwork of the Frankfurt city center churches can take place as said under observance of the valid hygiene measures locally - or also completely simply at home
"Each year I look forward, like many Frankfurterinnen and Frankfurters also, to this date. But for those who would rather enjoy the great city ringing at home this year, http://frankfurt.de is the place to go. I invite all Frankfurt residents to experience the city's tradition and sense of community together online," Becker said. "Even though these are recordings, perhaps nevertheless the great city ringing can create a special 'we' feeling. On the city's Facebook page, the great city peal will ring out from 4:30 to 5 p.m., as is tradition, and we can all experience it together at home," emphasizes the church department head.
Today's composition goes back to bell expert Prof. Paul Smets, who composed the peal in 1954. The first ringing of all Frankfurt bells, however, dates back to 1347. The first bell is the civic bell of St. Paul's Church. It is followed by the other five bells of St Paul's Church. This is followed by the four bells of St. Catherine's Church on the Hauptwache, and then the five bells of the Church of Our Lady. North of the Liebfrauchenkirche, the four bells of St. Peter's Church and the three bells of the Dominican Monastery ring out. With its six bells, the Leonhard Church on the Main joins in, as do the four bells of the Camelite Monastery, which also belong to the great city ringing. The four bells of the Alte Nikolaikirche on Römerberg complete the composition before the southernmost Dreikönigskirche on the other side of the Main joins the city ringing with its five bells. The climax is reached with the nine bells of the Kaiserdom. Among them is the Gloriosa, Frankfurt's most famous bell. At 11,950 kilograms, it is the heaviest of the bells in Frankfurt's inner city churches and the second heaviest bronze bell in Germany. In total, the 50 bells of the ten inner-city churches together weigh 64,804 kilograms.
