with a hammer) instead. But in the church they strike bells as part of the accompaniment of their singing.
The instruments used in the liturgy are the chalice, paten (disk), aster (called "dome" in Arabic),[1] spoon. These are the same as in the Byzantine rite.[2] The ark[3] is a square wooden box which just holds the chalice; at the consecration the chalice stands in this box.[4] They have several round veils[5] and a larger corporal[6] with which they cover the oblata during the liturgy. Their fans (like Byzantine rhipidia) are not now generally used to fan the Holy Eucharist, but are carried as ornaments in processions. North of the altar on a low stand are the basin and ewer with which the celebrant washes his hands. They have gospel-books, which are carried about and kissed, but cannot be read, because they are so bound, or rather nailed up, in costly metal covers that they cannot be opened. This was done originally, no doubt, to preserve a specially precious copy. Now there seems to be some doubt as to what is really contained in these closed covers. Mr. Butler says that some, on being opened, were found to contain nothing but a few tattered pages and some fragments of silk.[7] But when the gospel is read in the liturgy, such a closed book is still brought with great honour and placed on a stand with lighted candles around it. The deacon standing by it reads the gospel from a modern copy which he can open.
There has been a great discussion about Coptic vestments. Abū Ḍaḳn,[8] Vansleb,[9] Renaudot,[10] Denzinger[11] give accounts which are not consistent. Mr. Butler quotes all these at length, discusses their differences, and then gives an elaborate account of each vestment, with illustrations, according to information gathered from Coptic priests.[12] His erudition and laborious care deserve recognition.[13] But it is all rather superfluous. What
- ↑ Ḳubbah.
- ↑ Orth. Eastern Church, 408-409.
- ↑ Ar.: Kursī; Copt.: Pitote.
- ↑ Butler: op. cit. ii. 42-43.
- ↑ Ar.: Ḥaṣirah; Copt.: Pithom.
- ↑ Ar.: Lafāfah; Copt.: Prosfarin.
- ↑ Op. cit. ii. 59.
- ↑ Historia Iacobitarum, pp. 143-150.
- ↑ Hist. de l'Église d'Alex. 60.
- ↑ Liturg. Orient. Coll. i. 161-163.
- ↑ Ritus Orientalium, i. 130.
- ↑ Op. cit. ii. chap. iv.-v. pp. 97-23.
- ↑ It may be noted that throughout his two volumes (Ancient Coptic Churches of Egypt) Mr. Butler gives the reader much more than his title promises. In every detail he tells you all about parallel customs among the Orthodox, Armenians, all other Eastern Churches, and even about
