Coptic Monasteries: Egypt's Monastic Art and Architecture

by Gawdat Gabra

Egypt, the birthplace of communal monasticism, has a rich store of monasteries and monastic art. Coptic Monasteries takes the reader on a tour of the best preserved and most significant of these ancient religious centers, documenting in exhaustive detail the richness and the glory of the Coptic heritage. An informative introduction by Tim Vivian brings to life the early Christian era, with background information on the origins of the Coptic Church as well as its rites and ceremonies, sketches of some of monasticism’s founding figures, and accounts of some of the difficulties they faced, from religious schism to nomadic attacks. Gawdat Gabra’s expert commentary, complemented by almost one hundred full-color photographs of newly restored wall paintings and architectural features, covers monasteries from Aswan to Wadi al-Natrun. Ranging across a thousand years of history, Gabra’s observations will make any reader an expert on the composition and content of some of Egypt’s most outstanding religious art, the salient architectural features of each monastery, as well as the ongoing process of restoration that has returned much of their original vibrancy to these works. A unique and invaluable historical record, Coptic Monasteries is equally an in-depth, on-the-spot guide to these living monuments or an armchair trip back in time to the roots of one of the world’s oldest Christian traditions.

Genres: Coptic Language, Egypt, Christianity, Religion

142 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2002

Reviews

[Inas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect! But, it made me confused about the thought of the writer he said (Arab conquest) and another time said(Arab Occupation) it's so wired.
When he talked about st.Shenute he mentioned the struggle against the adherents of the other beliefs and destroyed their temples and that made the Triumph of the Christianity... This information confirms using the violence to spear the religion.
All the history, you will see the religion of the majority can destroy the other religions' worshipping places.

[Robert Poortinga · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice general overview and well written explanations.