The various typologies of Historic Coptic Orthodox Church design Sherif Raouf Amin Morgan

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1 The various typologies of Historic Coptic Orthodox Church design Sherif Raouf Amin Morgan 1. INTRODUCTION The Coptic Orthodox Church is a Church that formulated its style and elements in Egypt, affected by its geography, climate, and above all the surrounding civilizations it emerged within. Finding out its way within a paganism society, being Ancient Egyptian locally or the Roman Empire as a ruler of the country, the Coptic Church and people were severely prosecuted. Accordingly, rarely can researchers find information regarding the early buildings of the first three centuries. However, some churches that were first built in the fourth and fifth century 1 after Christianity was formally accepted as a legal religion by the Roman Empire in 313AD 2 and declared the State religion in 381AD 3 are still existing and are subject for research. Although documentation is poor, yet some research has been made regarding the different typologies of the Coptic Orthodox Church design. Finally, the paper aims to review the different literature that classifies the historic Coptic Orthodox Church design. 2. TYPOLOGIES OF HISTORICAL COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH DESIGN Typology, a well-known word used to classify things in general, and architectural specifically in this paper, which have similar characteristics. Although it is mostly widely spread between Christians that the Church form follows a Cruciform, Circular or an Ark shape4, yet it is not the real situation within Coptic Orthodox Church designs. Those are mostly symbols that are sometimes used for spiritual meanings and metaphysical significances. Moreover, those shapes are scarcely used by Coptic Architecture. Butler, a well-known historian that wrote 1 Gabra, et al (2007) p.22 2 Watterson, (1988) p.34 3 Gregorius (Bishop), (1982) p.58 4 Malaty (Father), (2004) pp A1

2 about the Coptic Churches in 1884, which is one of the oldest documented writings on the Coptic Church architecture confirms by saying, The Coptic builders seem to have had no liking for or no knowledge of the cruciform groundplan. The result is that in the majority of cases the architecture of the Coptic churches is of a mixed type, halfbasilican and half-byzantine: while in other cases there is a type entirely non-basilican yet not entirely Byzantine. But there is no case, as far as I know, of an architecture unleavened by either of these two elements, however variously they enter into combination with each other and with other elements. 1 Butler first confirms that there are no cruciform church forms in the Coptic Orthodox Churches. Moreover, he classifies the churches into two typologies, the first is a mixed half-basilican and half-byzantine, and the second is non-basilican but yet not Byzantine. He further mentions some examples regarding the Non-basilican and refers to Anba Antonious monastery (Saint Anthony) referred to in the figure-1 as letters (A) and (B) having two churches with twelve domed roof, three on the sanctuary area and nine covering the rest of the church. However, he mentions Saint Barbara Church as a Byzantine example, referred to in figure-1 as letters (C) and (D). A barrel vault covers the Naïve and main alter. However, the rest of the aisles and galleries are covered with a flat horizontal roof. Figure 1 Comparison between Non-basilican Church design (A) Ariel view 2 and (B) Google earth image of Saint Anthony Church Monastery in the red sea and the Basilican plan (C) Ariel view 3 and (D) Google earth image of Saint Barbara Church in Old Cairo. 1 Butler, (1884) pp Gabra, et al (2007) p Sheehan, (2010) p.60 A2

3 Bishop Samuel and architect Badie Habib did another form of classification to the Coptic Orthodox Church designs. The element of which the classification was focusing on was the Church Dome and its shape and location within the roof of the church. The following is the output of their classification. Figure 1 The Coptic Orthodox Church typologies through the classification of the Dome distribution on the roof. 1 The previous classification relates the domes locations above churches with relevance to date of construction of the church itself, starting from the fifth until the nineteenth century. The fifth and sixth century dome covers either the main altar or choir space. The seventh and eighth century dome covers both the altar and choir. Eleventh and twelfth century twin domes cover the nave and choir, and a smaller dome covers the altar. Fourteenth and fifteenth century churches have multiple domes covering the nave and vaults covering the northern and southern aisles. Sixteenth and seventeenth century churches had a row of altars at the sanctuary areas, making the church increase in its width. Churches are covered with domes of equal sizes and heights. Eighteenth and nineteenth century churches are back to three altars and the whole church is covered with twelve domes, three above the sanctuary area, and nine covering the rest of the church nave and aisles. 1 صموئيل ( األنبا (, بديع حبيب جورجي, القبة القبطية A3

4 In 2002, Capuani came out with a new typological classification. He splits the Churches of Egypt into two geographical zones. The first is the Mediterranean coast and Delta, where the church style is mostly affected by the Byzantine architecture. The second is the Nile Valley, where local cultural impact on the Church designs in his point of view is recognized. 1 He further analyzes church designs chronologically as Bishop Samuel and Badie Habib did, but focused on plan design itself and not ceiling design. The following table illustrates the different typologies Capuani mentioned, their periods, shape, typology and examples. PERIOD SHAPE TYPOLOGY EXAMPLES Al-Hawariya 5 th to 6 th Basilica with transept Sanctuary of St.Menas Hermopolis 4 th and 6 th Basilica with nave and four aisles Madinat Madi Antinoopolis Pbow Armant 5 th to 7 th Church with nave and two aisles Kellia Churches of Old Cairo Kom Namrud Madinat Habu 5 th to 7 th Triconch Church Monastery of Apa Bane White monastery Red monstery Deir Abu Matta 1 Capuani, et al, (2002) pp A4

5 PERIOD SHAPE TYPOLOGY EXAMPLES 6 th Church with a central plan Sanctuary of St.Menas (east basilica) Sanctuary of St.Menas (martyrion) 7 th to 12 th Church with a khurus (Choir) Monasteries of sketis Monastery of Archangel Gabriel Al-Naqlun 10 th to 12 th Church with naves roofed with cupolas Monastery of St. Victor Naqada Monastery of the Potter Monastery of the Martyrs Table 1 Capuani s classification of Coptic Church design typologies 1 From the previous table, one can conclude that most historical churches follow a rectangular shape, and differences are internal and in the ceiling. The influence of the rectangular shape is purely from the Ancient Egyptian and Jewish temples. The Basilican influence is dominant in the architectural plan design, however the Churches of the Mediterranean such as in St. Menas show a Byzantine effect that is clear in the central dome of the East Church or the huge scale of the main Church. 1 Capuani, et al, (2002) pp A5

6 Nicolas in 2004 updated the church classification into a more detailed one and discussed the sanctuary design, and at some times mentioned the Dome roofing system and locations. The following table illustrates the period, church shape sample, remarks and other examples of the same period and typology. PERIOD SHAPE REMARKS EXAMPLE 1 st to 4 th Building is inside a rectangular shape Sanctuary with Triconch/Triapsal Nave is surrounded by three aisles The Basilica of Al Ashmounein St.Marina Church Shams Al-Din, Oasis 4 th and 5 th Building is inside a rectangular shape External Narthex (western or southern) Triple Apse Nave is surrounded by three aisles Virgin Mary Hanging Church St.Sergius and St.Bacchus Church St.Barbara Church (Old Cairo Region) 5 th and 6 th Building is inside a rectangular shape External Narthex (western and southern or on top of them) Sanctuary with Triconch/Triapsal Nave is surrounded by three aisles Church of Anba Shenouda monastery White monastery Red monastery Church inside Hatour temple A6

7 PERIOD SHAPE REMARKS EXAMPLE 6 th and 7 th Appearance of the area of Chorus of Deacons Church of Abu Fana monastery Abu Mina North church, Mariut Churches around Luxor temple 7 th and 8 th Central Altar with semi circle apse Rectangular side chambers Church in Habo city, west Luxor St.Mina Church complex in Mariut 8 th and 9 th 11 th, 12 th and 13 th Chorus of deacons separated from nave by walls and doors Three sanctuaries with the central one bigger in size Appearance of twin domes covering the nave Three rectangular sanctuaries Virgin Mary church in Syrian monastery Anba Bishoy church in Anba Bishoy monastery N.B. existing church dates back to the 14 th century Anba Hedra church, Aswan Virgin Mary church in Al-Azab and Al- Hamam monastery in Fayoum A7

8 PERIOD SHAPE REMARKS EXAMPLE 14 th and 15 th Appearance of more than three altars Shallow nave of two rows Church orientation is in the north south direction Anba Bedaba monastery in Nagga Hammady St.Demiana and Anba Moisys monastery 16 th,17 th and 18 th Appearance of a new type in Akhmim with three semi circular apses with a service corridor. Nave is divided into two rows with four columns in between Virgin Mary monastery in Akhmim Monastery of the Archangel in Akhmim 18 th and 19 th Appearance of the twelve domed churches 3 domes for the sanctuary 6 domes for the nave and aisles Anba Begol church in Minya Many churches in Delta region that have been built in this period Table 2 Stages of Development of Coptic Church Architecture by Maged Nicolas 1 1 Nicolas, (2004) pp A8

9 Several other writers discussed the Coptic Orthodox Church design typologies but with no real extra input other than the previously mentioned above 1. However, in 2012, Professor Sami Sabri 2 published an article on the typologies of the Coptic Orthodox Historical Churches in the event of the Golden Jubilee of the establishment of the Church Ministry of Education. His typologies has classified the Coptic Orthodox Churches into nine different types. The focal elements of classification are the nave together with its roofing type. Moreover, variations of the sanctuary area of the Basilican plan 3. The following table shows the typology and sample shape to elaborate the typology without getting into details of the subdivisions. SHAPE TYPOLOGY EXAMPLES Churches with Domed Nave (Single, Double, six, nine, or more) Church of Virgin Mary Tokh Al- Nassara Church of St. Marcorious (Al- Maymoun monastery) Church of Virgin Mary and St. Anthony in St. Anthony monastery Churches with Vaulted Nave Church of Archangel Mikhail in St. Bishoy Monastery The Church in the keep of the Syrian monastery. 1 Gabra, et al (2007) pp Dean of the Institute of Coptic Studies, and a professor of Architecture and Urban Design in Cairo University, faculty of engineering, architectural department. شاكر, )2182( ص A9

10 SHAPE TYPOLOGY EXAMPLES Churches roofed with Domes and Vaults Church of the monastery of Anba Thomas, North Akhmim Church of the monastery of St. Hedra Churches with Square Nave Virgin Mary church in Fisha Al- Nassara village Virgin Mary church in Sabk El- Ahad Church of the Martyr Anba Sarabamon, Melig village Akhmim Churches Church of Mar-Guirguis El- Hadidy monastery Church of Virgin Mary monastery in Hawaweesh, Akhmim Churches influenced by Byzantine architecture Church of St.Menas (east basilica) A10

11 SHAPE TYPOLOGY EXAMPLES Basilican Plan Churches Virgin Mary Church, Syrian Monastery. St.Barbara Church, Old Cairo Sr. Sergius and Backhus Church, Old Cairo Basilican Plan Churches With Triconch Sanctuary Monastery of Anba Shenouda, Sohag (White monastery) Monastery of Anba Bishay, Sohag (Red monastery) Basilican Plan Churches With Transept St. Menas main church Al-Ashmunayn Basilica Table 3 Architectural typologies of Historical Coptic Churches, by Dr. Sami Sabri Shaker 1 شاكر, )2182( ص A11

12 3. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION From all the previous different classifications of Coptic Orthodox Church Typologies, starting by Butler in 1884, then Bishop Samuel and Badie Habib between , then Capuani in 2002, then Nicolas 2004, and finally Sami Sabri Shaker in One can conclude that typologies were based on either the architectural plan design, or the ceiling design, or both together. The last two combine the first two methods of classification, thus results in a deeper understanding of the historical Coptic Churches. AUTHOR TYPOLOGICAL THEME ERA Butler Basilican and Non-Basilican Churches 1884 AD Bishop Samuel and Badie Habib Dome distribution on the roof AD Capuani Geographical zoning and plan design 2002 Nicolas Functional zoning, sanctuary, and roof design 2004 Shaker Nave design and roofing system 2012 Table 4 Comparison of typological classification themes, their authors and its era, by researcher From these results and conclusions, the researcher would like to recommend further research in the typological classifications of contemporary churches. This field of research is missing and is causing a gap in science to understand modern and contemporary church design outcomes. Moreover, the typologies of Shaker may be adopted to classify the Churches of a certain region as an exercise of applying those typologies on case studies and checking if the case studies follow some or all of those typologies or not. A12

13 List of References 1. Butler, Alfred J. (1884). Ancient Coptic Churches of Egypt (Volume 1), Oxford at the Clarendon Press. 2. Capuani, Massimo, et al (2002). Christian Egypt, The American University in Cairo Press, Egypt. 3. Gabra, Gawdat and Van loon, J.M (2007). The churches of Egypt: From the journey of the Holy Family to the Present Day, The American University in Cairo Press, Egypt. 4. Gregorius, Bishop (1982). Christianity, the Coptic Religion and Ethnic Minorities in Egypt, GeoJournal, Vol. 6, No. 1, The Nile Countries, pp Malaty (Father), Tadros Y. (2004). Church, House of God, St. George church, Sporting, Alexandria, Egypt. 6. Nicolas Kamel, Magued (2004).Design criteria of Coptic Architecture in Egypt, PH.D Degree dissertation, Alexandria University( Faculty of Fine Arts) 7. Sheehan, Peter (2010). Babylon of Egypt: The Archaeology of Old Cairo and the Origins of the City, The American University in Cairo press, Egypt. 8. Watterson, Barbara (1988). Coptic Egypt, Scottish Academic Press Ltd, Edinburgh. 8. صموئيل ( األنبا (, بديع حبيب جورجي, القبة القبطية, 2. شاكر, سامي صبري )2182(. األنماط المعمارية للكنائس القبطية األثرية, مجلة معهد الدراسات القبطية, المجلد التاسع List of Figures Figure 1 Comparison between Non-basilican Church design (A) Ariel view and (B) Google earth image of Saint Anthony Church Monastery in the red sea and the Basilican plan (C) Ariel view and (D) Google earth image of Saint Barbara Church in Old Cairo Figure 2 The Coptic Orthodox Church typologies through the classification of the Dome distribution on the roof List of Tables Table 1 Capuani s classification of Coptic Church design typologies Table 2 Stages of Development of Coptic Church Architecture by Maged Nicolas Table 3 Architectural typologies of Historical Coptic Churches, by Dr. Sami Sabri Shaker Table 5 Comparison of typological classification themes, their authors and its era, by researcher...12 A13