Vol.I - The Coptic Orthodox Church

CH. i.] General Structure. 29
of aligning with that of the side chapels, projects out
three or four feet into the choir, and is returned so
as to allow of a door on the north and south as well
as on the western side of the high altar an arrangement
that clearly points to the ceremonial processions
of the greater and the lesser entrance. Besides
these doors there is often, but not always, found on
each side of the haikal door a small square opening,
with a sliding shutter, about five feet from the ground.
At Abu-'s-Sifain these windows exist in the choir-
screen as well as in the haikal-screen, though in
neither case could they ever serve the purpose of
allowing the congregation a glimpse of the celebration
within, like the hagioscopes of our own churches.
Before the sanctuary there hang always a number of
lamps, which are sometimes of silver, and the door is
Veiled by a silk curtain, often of great magnificence,
with texts, crosses, and sacred figures wrought in
silver embroidery. On entering the church a wor-
shipper always prostrates
himself and kisses the
hem of this curtain a reverent custom that ascends
to the remotest antiquity. The hanging is drawn
aside during the whole period of the celebration, and
the doors fold back inwards towards the altar. At
the centre of the doorway arch is fastened a ring
from which at a certain point in the mass the priest
incense in full view
suspends the censer of burning
of the congregation. Along the top of the screen,
which is seven to ten feet high, are ranged several
pictures or a continuous tablet divided into panels.
The central panel or picture usually represents the
Virgin and Child, and those on the sides the figures
of apostles or prophets.
Thus the Coptic haikal-screen, with its pictures