Vol.I - The Coptic Orthodox Church

CH. vii.] Desert Monasteries. 313
has a separate vaulting at right angles to that of
the nave. A decayed fresco of St. George on the
south wall ;
the usual ostrich-eggs and a fine bronze
and some
corona hanging before the haikal-screen ;
small coloured windows of Arab stucco-work in the
north and south gables of the roof these are the
only points of interest in the choir. But there are
two satellite churches or chapels which open out from
the choir, and deserve notice. That at the north side
is dedicated to Al Adra, and contains the bones of
Anba Bishoi in a reliquary: it is vaulted east and
west, and has only a single altar. The other on the
south side is larger, and is covered in with a most
magnificent dome :
the altar, which is dedicated to
Abu Iskharun, has for its slab a shallow marble tray of
oblong form. A narrow passage north of the altar
leads to the baptistery, which lies adjoining the
chapel on the east : it contains a plain round font
of the usual type, with a drain at the bottom to carry
off the water.
Both these satellite chapels lie outside the main
building, and are doubtless later erections ; for the
large church has its own three independent altars.
The haikal is raised one step above the choir : the
altar is further raised one step upon a platform, three
sides of which stand clear, while the fourth runs into
the eastern wall, which of course is straight not
apsidal. Yet there is a tribune here of fine proportions.
It consists of six steps, of which the lower
three are straight, the upper three curved. The
throne is gone entirely : but the broken masonry
shows a cavity underneath it, which may
have been
intended for relics. All the steps are faced with
vertical strips of coloured marble : the spandrels of