The semantron



The semantron (Greek: σήμαντρον) also semanterion (σημαντήριον) or simandro; also called a xylon (ξύλον) (Romanian: toacă; Russian: било, bilo; Bulgarian: клепало, klepalo) is a percussion instrument used in monasteries to summon monks to prayer or at the start of a procession. In Palestine under the Ottoman Empire, when ringing church bells was outlawed, the simandro replaced them.

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