This church is the oldest in the monastery and is unique in its simple structure, taking into consideration the maintenance, repairs and modifications that have been made through the history of the church. It cannot be categorized under the geometrical style of the architectural art of any Coptic churches. In other words, it is distinguished by its simple and unsophisticated – not factitious – architectural structure. It is built of sun – dried brick. Its walls are unsymmetrical and unsystematic. There are no ornamental ancient Coptic patterns, engravings, dappling, variegations or drawings on its walls…etc.
The Sanctuary:
God Father’s Bosom is a curved semicircular area in the eastern wall of the “sanctuary”; a symbol for God’s longing for His church, which is waiting for His coming.
Two other rooms were also built on both sides of the sanctuary. They are obviously far simpler than any architectural art; yet they are featured with the church’s ancient original ritual. The left (Northern) room is used as a Sacristy; a dressing room for the clergymen, and had no door to the nave of the church. The right (Southern) room is for the deacons’ service, where the “Holy Communion set” is kept. It also had a hole in the floor, at the bottom of its eastern wall, for emptying the thurible (censer) at the end of the liturgy service.
It is worthwhile mentioning that during the restoration and renewal of the church in the year 2000 A.D., it was discovered that the eastern wall is not one, but rather two walls with a space in between, enough for a person to stand in it. This space had an opening to the southern room of the sanctuary. According to church ritual, four pillars must be erected around the altar, as they symbolize the four Evangelists. However, due to narrow spacing of this sanctuary, three pillars were erected and fixed to the right and left walls. The forth pillar were added later during the same restoration mentioned above.
Three domes were later built, in the 16th century, over the sanctuary and the two rooms, on each side.
The Altar
Is the most important content in the sanctuary; is cubic in shape and not equilateral. On its surface there is a marble with a semicircular edge where Greek inscription engraved. It reads “O, Lord repose the blessed Kulthos” dated Kyahk 15th, 463 A.M. (December 11th, 746 A.D. according to contemporary calendar of that period).
This semicircular marble is considered a peculiar shape that distinguishes ancient Coptic altars in Egypt. The idea of semicircular shape is an ancient Coptic convention, first appeared in the Last Supper icons where the table is semicircular.
According to the Coptic Church tradition, ‘the altar’ of The Holy Virgin Mary Church is located “in the midst of the land of Egypt”; this was to fulfill what the Lord has spoken by the prophet, saying: “In that day there will be an alter to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD at its border.” (Isaiah 19:19). Entries to the sanctuary are all low-rise, which makes the believer passing through it, his head bowed in humility and respect for the house of the Lord.
Oil Lamps and Ostrich Eggs:
While the church is considered a symbol of Heaven, the oil lamps and candles stand as a symbol for stars; for if the material sky is decorated with lights-stars, rather than should the spiritual Heaven also be decorated.
Oil Lamps are placed in front of icons during the liturgy service, and lit with pure olive oil, standing for Jesus Christ who gleams through His saints; now a day, the only remaining oil lamp in the church, is that of the east wall within the sanctuary; and is always lit, so that no strange fire should be used in the church; as a symbol of what was said by the Lord to Moses, that the oil lamps be lighted constantly, (Exodus 27: 20 – 21). The east lamp also symbolizes the star which appeared to the wise men from the East in the Levant.
Ostrich eggs in the church symbolize the divine providence and resurrection of the Lord.
