Vol.I - The Coptic Orthodox Church

92 Ancient Coptic Churches. [ C H. m.
men are represented unwinding the strips
of linen.
It is quite probable that ancient Egyptian forms
of burial survived among wealthy people even into
Christian times, though nothing of the kind is
it is very singular to remark
known now 1
; and
that the same kind of wrapping is common in early
Italian frescoes or paintings in the late third and
following centuries-. It may be seen, if I remember
rightly, in the mosaics of the porch of St. Mark's
swathed mummy-like figures of
at Venice ;
and the '
Christ' found in early Celtic work are quoted, though
wrongly, by Mr. Warren in distinctive evidence
of a connexion between the Celtic and eastern
Churches 3 .
1
6. The Marriage at Cana.
7. The Baptism of Christ.
Embalming
was still common as late as the middle of the
fourth century : for we read that St. Antony's dread of the process
was the chief reason why his followers concealed the place of his
burial. But the whole subject of the transition from ancient
P^gyptian to Christian rites awaits investigation.
The Mohammedan custom as described to me by a native,
and as I have witnessed it, is to lay the body on a white shroud
which is then loosely folded over it. Round this a winding-sheet
is wrapped, of a material varying with the wealth of the deceased's
family : rich people use silk, and red silk for a maiden. Three
loose bands are then tied round the sheet one at the neck, one
at the waist, and one at the knees or feet. When the body is
placed in the tomb these bands are further loosened or removed.
The present Coptic custom is to dress the deceased in his best
dress, and to lay over this a sheet of cloth, silk, or cashmere.
They do not swathe the body in bands, and they use a coffin.
2 Roma Sotteranea, vol. ii. p. 99.
3
Liturgy and Ritual of the Celtic Church, p. 51.