Vol.I - The Coptic Orthodox Church

CH. vi.] Churches in Cairo. 285
cross sewn upon it. The old embroidery, as a Copt
told me, will probably be used to make a pinafore
for a child: at present it is merely flung aside in
a corner. The usual altar vessels paten, chalice,
and dome of silver, wooden altar-casket, and corporals
may be seen here more easily than at some of
the larger churches, both because the chapel is more
accessible, and because the vessels are less jealously
hidden from travellers. One of the corporals is remarkable
in being fitted with little bells one at each
corner and one in the centre : it is of red silk, having
a square of green silk in the midst embroidered with
a cross. The baptistery has a place as usual railed
off for women : the font lies eastwards, and in a
niche just above it stands a very beautiful little
painting of Christ's baptism. Above the four prin-
cipal figures our Lord, St. John, and two angels
the dove is descending in a golden circle, round
which is an outer circle of cherub-heads :
from
the
inner circle a widening beam of golden light is falling
upon the head of Christ. The ground of the picture
is of very singular tone a pale faded green colour,
extremely pleasing. The deep golden aureoles of
the four figures are set with real jewels rubies and
emeralds.