r is there
any example of a well-defined cruciform ground-plan. But the use of the
dome by Coptic architects is almost universal, and nearly every church
has at least three domes overshadowing the three altars. The domes are
sometimes lighted by small windows; but the walls are windowless, and
the churches consequently gloomy. Among the most interesting churches
are those of Old Cairo, those in the Wadi Natron, and the Red and White
Monasteries (_Der el-Abiad_ and _Der el-Ahmar_) near Suhag in Upper
Egypt.

Church fittings.

Every church has three altars at the eastern end in three contiguous
chapels. The central division is called the _haikal_ or sanctuary, which
is always divided from the choir by a fixed partition or screen with a
small arched doorway closed by double doors. This resembles the Greek
iconostasis, the screen on which the "icons" or sacred pictures are
placed. _Haikal_ screen and choir screen are often sumptuously carved
and inlaid. A marble basin for the mandatum in the nave, and an epiphany
tank at the west are common features. The altar is usually built of
brick or stone, hollow within, and having an opening to the interior. A
wooden altar-slab covered with crosses, &c., lies in a rectangular
depression on the surface, and it is used in case of need as a portable
altar. Chalice and paten, ewer and basin, crewet and chrismatory, are
found as in the Western churches. The aster consists of two crossed
half-hoops of silver and is used to place over the wafer. The flabellum
is used, though now rarely made of precious metal. Some examples of
silver-cased textus now remaining are very fine. Every church possesses
thuribles--the use of incense being universal and frequent--and diadems
for the marriage service. The use of church bells is forbidden by the
Moslems, except in the desert, and church music consists merely of
cymbals and triangles which accompany the chanting.

Rites and ceremonies.

The sacramental wine is usually made from raisins, but the juice must be
fermented. Churches even in Cairo have a press for crushing the raisins.
The eucharistic bread is baked in an oven built near the sanctuary. The
wafer is a small loaf about 3 inches in diameter and 1 inch thick,
stamped with the trisagion and with crosses. Communion must be received
fasting. Confession is required, but has somewhat fallen into disuse.
Laymen receive in both kinds. The wafer being broken into the chalice,
crumbs or "pe