Church Bells Toll Worldwide for Aleppo's Dead

Churches around the world have joined in an ensemble of bells to commemorate those killed in Aleppo. 

Reuters reports the ringing started on Oct. 12 at a church in Kallio, Finland. Usually, the bells are rung when a dead body is leaving the church after a funeral. This time it was for the multitude of men, women, and children killed after Russia and Syria bombed Aleppo.

Before long, hundreds of other churches rang their bells in a worldwide event called #BellsforAleppo.

"After reading the news that day, of Aleppo, we decided to ring funeral bells at 5 p.m. to remember the death. First I just asked a few local churches to join us," Teemu Laajasalo, vicar of the Kallio parish told Reuters.

So far, some 500 churches from 20 countries have joined the somber chorus, and will continue to do so until Oct. 24.

"We all see the devastating events in Aleppo, but at the same time feel powerless to help, because of the complexity of the situation. With the bells, we want to make our voices heard, and give hope for better future," Laajasalo said.