Vol.I - The Coptic Orthodox Church

266 Ancient Coptic Churches. [CH. v.
of linen, embroidered near the ends with two large
crosses in red and yellow needlework with the sacred
letters between the four branches, a above, and co
below it. The centre of one cross is 2 ft. 6 in. from
the end, and of the other 3 ft. 4 in., and a thin stripe
of red is drawn across each end of the shamlah
nearly 4
in. from the hem. Here also are two dal-
matics, embroidered in front with a figure of the
Virgin and Child throned, and two flying angels
holding
her crown : on either side the throne a blue
cross outlined in black, and underneath it a figure of
the Amir Tadrus on horseback slaying a dragon :
below in a wide curve runs an inscription in red, and
a date 1217 Coptic, or 1501
A.D. Round each sleeve
is a yellow border edged with black, and decked with
an olive-branch pattern : above the border is a row
of three crosses, and above that a star between two
crosses all in various colours : and
above the star
is the figure of an angel holding a Latin cross.
In the middle of the back is a yellow cross edged
with black. All this work is embroidered in fine
silk.
In the south aisle-chapel are an ancient patrashil
and pair of sleeves to match :
they are of yellowbrown
colour richly brocaded, but not worked with
silver. There lie on the altar two fine large gospelcases,
one of silver covered with repousse ornament
of crosses, flowers, scrolls, Coptic and Arabic writing :
the other made of plain copper is altogether of ruder
workmanship, but bears some figures of angels, and
a title in the two languages. When used at baptism
the silver gospel is set upright upon the gospelboard
a wooden frame that closes by hinges in the
middle : round the edge of the frame are prickets