"The monastery is of course not in a position to pay for it itself," he said, adding that it was appealing for donations.
"It is difficult to talk about the cost at the moment... but if we talk about just the moulding [of the new bells] it could be around US$700,000 or more," he said.
Alexei admits the bells are important both to Harvard and to the Orthodox Church. On the university's campus, students are divided about the future of the bells.
"I think we have a claim ... I guess the Russians do too, historically," said Andrew Bitto. "But as far as actual ownership goes they are Harvard's."
Others would be glad to see the back of them.
"They wake me up every weekend, so the monks can have them," said Rob Wheeler.
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