Dzerzhinsky (Moscow region)

On Saturday, December 4, 2004, a new big bell named Ugresh Blessed Messenger was consecrated and hoisted at Nikolo-Ugreshsky Monastery. The employees of CHP-22 of AO MOSENERGO collected the bulk of the money for casting the bell.

The bell was installed on a tower 93 m high that was built in the XVIII century. During World War II upper tiers of the bell tower called Ugresh Candle, a famous local monument, were destroyed. Last year they resurrected the bell tower in full and installed chimes. Now, Ugresh Blessed Messenger has returned to Ugresh Candle.

The bell was cast at Baltiisky Plant in St. - Petersburg in the summer of 2004. The bell is more than 3 m high. Its weight (including the tongue of the bell) exceeds 18 t. It is decorated with bas-reliefs depicting the prince Dmitry Donskoy, Pimen Ugreshsky and other Russian orthodox saints. Prior to hoisting the bell, the father superior of Nikolo-Ugreshsky Monastery, Lubertsy bishop Veniamin, conducted a ceremonial service. For the first time the bell’s voice will be heard on December 17, Saint Nicholas Day.

For several centuries in a row, Nikolo-Ugreshsky Monastery was a most respected Russian shrine. The Russian prince Dmitry Donskoy founded the monastery. Before the battle on Kulikovo field he saw the icon of St. Nicholas, who predicted the victory and strengthened the confidence of the Russian warriors. Since that time, this site has become a holy Russian place.

In the XX century the monastery experienced difficult times. Its shrines and buildings were partially destroyed. The resurrection of the monastery started in 1990. Then the public committee for the resurrection of the monastery chaired by Ivan Kozlov, director of CHP-22, was set up. Power specialists took the most active part in the reconstruction of the monastery. They collected money, worked in the monastery and helped to obtain scarce (at that time) construction materials.

As the biggest Russian AO-energo, AO MOSENERGO deems its duty and honored responsibility to support Russian culture, education and sports. The Company has a Commission for Charity and Material Aid that selects the most important charity projects and manages their implementation. AO MOSENERGO provides aid to Saint-Trinity Sergius Lavra, Public Union of Football Clubs of Disabled Persons, UN and UNESCO Foundation «Illustrated Books for Blind Children» and many other charitable projects.