Vol.I - The Coptic Orthodox Church

ii2 Ancient Coptic Churches. [CH. m.
midst by the patriarch's
throne which like all
the tribune is of marble. At the back of the
throne, before which is a single step, a niche is hollowed
in the wall : the sides of the seat are of white
marble and slope downwards between marble posts.
These posts or pillars have oval caps resembling
those on early Muslim tombs.
In the niche is a fresco representing our Lord:
and over the arch of the niche another wall-painting
in form of a triptych, which contains in the centre
panel a head girt with six wings crossed in pairs
representing the seraphim : and in each side panel
the figure of an angel. This triptych is about 2 ft.
high and cuts into an oblong space of wall, some
1 2 ft. by 4, overlaid with fine blue and green porce-
lain tiles, which enclose also two panels of plain
colour. On each side of the tiles is a row of six large
pictures, or rather a continuous wooden panel with
painted arcading, containing figures of the twelve
apostles. Here the perpendicular wall ends and
the curve of the dome begins. Upon this curve
directly above the tiles is a semicircular fresco
presentingre-
Christ in glory upheld by two angels. A
conventional border encloses this painting, and at its
highest point is the figure of an eagle with outspread
The rest of the dome is
wings slaying a serpent.
plain whitewash.
Below the row of apostles the wall is painted with
a large diaper pattern in flat colours.
To the left of the lowest steps, in the wall that
forms the chord of the arc, is a small recess or aum-
bry. Within it is a curious little wooden stand, for
a vessel of chrism which is used to anoint the steps