screen is a crucifixion and on either side are saints. The columns and walls are adorned with paintings of saints or with pictures hung up. Coptic painting has a manner of its own, which many artists prefer to Byzantine work. The pictures never have the shield of metal, pierced for the face and hands, which protects Byzantine ikons. They are generally painted on a gold background. You may see the Blessed Virgin holding her Son, in a manner which suggests vaguely the picture at St. Mary Major. You see venerable pontiffs with long white beards, dressed in Coptic vestments and holding a book, or St. George charging along on a white horse killing his dragon.[1]
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FIG. 8. — CHURCH OF ST. MERCURIUS (ABU SAIFAIN) AT OLD CAIRO. THE HAIKAL.
The altar is a large cube of stone, or built up of bricks, standing free from any wall, hollowed out underneath, with an opening behind (to the east). This was once the tomb for relics; now it is
- ↑ Examples of Coptic painting may be seen in the frontispiece of Mr. Butler's second volume. In modern churches one often sees Byzantine (Russian) eikons. The vestments in these proclaim their origin.
