Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 29.djvu/152

 H2 THE ANCIEXT CTIRl^TIAX CIirRClIES OF MFSR EL turn. First, lioYCvcr, it may be well to make mention of some of their eomniou cliaracteristies, and to specify some of the interesting objects connected with Divine worship which are the least likvly to be familiar to Western eyes. A Cojitic church then, is, in its simplest form, an edifice of three parallel aisles divided i'rum each other longittidinally by pillars of ancient Greek or Roman construction, with more or less of wooden screen-work and with few exco})- tions terminating in aj^ses. This area is again divided transversely by screens, many of which are exquisitely carved, and inlaid with ivory and ornamented with jiaintings. The easternmost of these screens answers to the Iconostasis of the Greek Church, and is entered by three doors, or by a door and two windows covered with rich hangings, which, however, arc drawn aside during the celebration of the Lords Supper, and display the priest standing in the midst before the altar with his face turned eastwards. A square stone altar stands in each apse, and behind is a semicircle of stone steps Avith a central niche, ancientl}' the scat of the Bishop, but commonl}' used now as the receptacle of one or more pictures. The building is usually surmounted by from one to three domes. The windows are small, and })laced high up, autl are almost iiiv;irial»ly unglazed. These provisions ensure a constant anil refreshing coolness, and desei've the close study of architects em})loyed to erect Chinches in our own trojiical colonies. In the westernmost division of the Church, below the pavement, is a large tank for the water blessed on the Eve of the Feast of J^pijihany. Tiio i)a|)ti.stcry is usually a small building attached to the main Church lathcr than forming an integral ]>ortion of it. In some instances tlu're are chapels in the cleicstoiy. The following arc some ui' the more cuiious (»bjects to bo found in these churclies. 1. iltars. These are /j/nit of stone, and are S(piarc in form. Underneath is a cavity entered IVmn Ix hind, intended originally, I suppose, to contain relics. On the ujipei- surface of each altar is a grocjve in which the s.icred elements aro placed, covered with a s<|u;ire wootlen cover j);iiiited with figuies of saints or scrij)tural scenes. At celehrations the altars are covered with cotton clotlis enduoidered with crosses. Now and then a more ancient cloth is seen made