Vol.I - The Coptic Orthodox Church

130 Ancient Coptic Churches. [CH. m.
very pretty well with a windlass above, and pitchers
and other water-vessels scattered about in charming
disorder. To the left is the small but beautiful
courtyard of the convent overshadowed by
a fine
tall nabuk or zizyphus tree, which rises near the
well and mounts in a sweeping curve into the midst
of the court : higher up its branches spread out,
and their graceful leaves brush against the upper
windows. The east face of the court is formed
by a large open screen of woodwork, with two
circular steps leading up to an open doorway with
tall folding doors in the centre. Inside is a long
shallow room, 15 ft. by 7, with a kuramani carpet
and some cushions or pillows against the wall. Here
the nuns recline at their ease, and on feast days their
friends are regaled with such good things as the
convent provides. It is in fact the mandarah or
reception-room. It opens to the north by a high
pierced wooden screen into a tiny oratory, TO ft. by
6, which has a low niche eastward containing a
picture of the Virgin, and a shelf running round the
wall with several other paintings. There is also a
curious wooden candlestick in the form of a cross
with an iron pricket on each of the three branches.
Of the pictures two or three are noticeable. There
in which
is an old picture of the Virgin and Child,
the Child is seated on the Virgin's right arm, and is
clasping he
her neck :
wears a golden dress, and the
background of the painting is gold. There is also
a curious sixteenth-century picture with a background
the lower half of which is pale green, the upper half
gold (as in the series at Sitt Mariam).
It shows two
figures, who wear glories edged with a red margin :
leftward St. Anthony robed as a priest, with staff and