Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 29.djvu/162

 [•>('t. Indies. 11

l.")

IL' G It 9 o

11 10
 * >-2

132 THE ANCIENT CHRISTIAN CHURCHES OF MUSR EL very few other Churches, aiul in some of the most magni- ficciii Mosques. The efiect is extremely good and well worthy of imitation. The left-hand altar-chapel h;is been mo.leriiized, in that on the right I observed a curious piece of wood sculjHured with two crosses and several Coptic in- scription.s. Tiie priest informed me that he knelt upon this board when engaged in prayer. IV. JJdijr JJnblihi. This convent is of great antiquity, and interesting, as already stated, as preserving the name of the Roman Baby- lon of Egypt. It contains the large and interesting church of 8itt Miriam. Its dimensions are as follows : — From western v;ill to first screen Thence to second screen .... Second screen to Iconostasis Iconosta.'^is to niche in eastern wall. Depth of seat-niche .... Breadth of central apse .... Breadth of chuixh ..... Each compartment of the nave of this Church is sup- ported by columns of granite or marble, with marble caj)itals taken from some edifice of Roman time, and the roof is vaulted with stone. The interior of the baldachiiio, which surmounts the chief altar, is decorated with a lai-go picture of Christ in Glory in the attitude of benediction. In the niche of the ;ipse our Lord is again represented, but this time holding a book. Here is preserved a silver Evan- gelisterion, or book-case, with a cross in the centre of each side, and a Saint at each angle. Above the cross is a Coptic, and below it an Arabic inscrij)tion. A copi)er-gilt candle- stick, like the Evangclisterion, does nut appear to be of high antiquity. In these ancient Oriental Churches usages and forms are handed down without change from generation to generation. On the cmtral altar there arc the usual two candlesticks, aipl a small taper-stand, all of bi'as.s. Sus- f)ended hard by is a silver ccn.scr, with small bells attached to the chains, precisely similar to those oftfMi seen on the silver ankh-ts which adorn the "tinkling Icct '' of Arab children. The lOpiphany wattr-tank is rcmarkahle as being in the shape of a kind of lloriatod cro.ss. In r cli.-qx I of Silt Miiiani. to the left (^1' the nave is a