Editor in Chief
Youssef Sidhom
Watani
عربى English French
  • News
    • Accidents
    • Crime
    • Diplomatic briefcase
    • NewsLine
    • Outside Cairo
    • Special Occasions
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • International media
    • Reader`s Corner
    • Opinion
  • Politics
    • Elections
    • International Politics
    • Islamisation Politics
    • National Affairs
    • Parliament
    • Politics
    • Protests
    • Rights
    • Terrorism
  • Culture
    • Antiquity
    • Art
    • Books
    • Culture
    • Drama
    • Egyptology
    • Festivals
    • Films
    • Heritage
    • Islamisation Culture
    • Media
    • Museums
    • Music
    • TV
  • Coptic
    • Church Affairs
    • Coptic Affairs
    • Coptic Culture
    • Copts in the Media
    • Coptology
    • Copts Abroad
    • Religious
      • P. Shenouda: Bible Study
    • Sectarian
    • Inter-religious
    • Holy Family
  • Features
    • Counselling Corner
    • features
    • Economy
      • Business
    • Education
    • Social Issues
      • Behaviour
      • Mothers Day
    • Health
    • Environment
    • Humour
    • In memorial
    • Interviews
    • Nile
    • Profile
    • Special needs
    • Sports
    • Technology
    • Tourism
    • Wars
    • Women
    • Youth
  • Watani Special Features
    • Egypt – Arab Spring
      • 25 January Revolution
      • 25 Jan revolution, one year on
      • Egypt post-30 June
    • Watani Milestones
      • 20 years Watani International
      • 10 years Watani International
      • Watani Jubilee
    • Pope Shenouda
    • Pope Tawadros
    • Watani Forum
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Accidents
    • Crime
    • Diplomatic briefcase
    • NewsLine
    • Outside Cairo
    • Special Occasions
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • International media
    • Reader`s Corner
    • Opinion
  • Politics
    • Elections
    • International Politics
    • Islamisation Politics
    • National Affairs
    • Parliament
    • Politics
    • Protests
    • Rights
    • Terrorism
  • Culture
    • Antiquity
    • Art
    • Books
    • Culture
    • Drama
    • Egyptology
    • Festivals
    • Films
    • Heritage
    • Islamisation Culture
    • Media
    • Museums
    • Music
    • TV
  • Coptic
    • Church Affairs
    • Coptic Affairs
    • Coptic Culture
    • Copts in the Media
    • Coptology
    • Copts Abroad
    • Religious
      • P. Shenouda: Bible Study
    • Sectarian
    • Inter-religious
    • Holy Family
  • Features
    • Counselling Corner
    • features
    • Economy
      • Business
    • Education
    • Social Issues
      • Behaviour
      • Mothers Day
    • Health
    • Environment
    • Humour
    • In memorial
    • Interviews
    • Nile
    • Profile
    • Special needs
    • Sports
    • Technology
    • Tourism
    • Wars
    • Women
    • Youth
  • Watani Special Features
    • Egypt – Arab Spring
      • 25 January Revolution
      • 25 Jan revolution, one year on
      • Egypt post-30 June
    • Watani Milestones
      • 20 years Watani International
      • 10 years Watani International
      • Watani Jubilee
    • Pope Shenouda
    • Pope Tawadros
    • Watani Forum
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Watani
ع Fr
ADVERTISEMENT

Pi-Lampas hosts seminar on: The Coptic icon throughout the ages

8 May, 2019 - (12:12 PM)
0 0

Sanaa’ Farouk -  Photos by Emad Ishaq

Pi-Lampas hosts seminar on: The Coptic icon throughout the ages
509
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The icons which adorn so many Coptic churches in Egypt and around the world, and which boast features that distinguish them as “Coptic icons”, have behind them a long history that goes hand in hand with the history of Egypt. A recent seminar tackled just that.

“Features of the Coptic icon throughout ages” was the theme title of a seminar recently hosted by Pi-Lampas Centre at the church of Holy Virgin in Mahmasha, Cairo, under the auspices of Anba Martyros, Bishop of Sharq al-Sekka al-Hadeed.

Nader Alfy Zikry, assistant professor at Sadat University’s Faculty of Tourism and Hotels, was guest speaker.

Pi-Lampas hosts seminar on: The Coptic icon throughout the ages

The event started with an opening prayer by Anba Martyros who welcomed the attendants, followed by a word of introduction by Asharf Maurice, coordinator of the Pi-Lampas seminars.

 

Household item

Dr Zikry began by defining the word icon, an originally Greek noun, he said, that denotes “an image or resemblance of appearance”. The word was later used to indicate pictures depicting Christian figures or scenes, which were consecrated and hung in churches.

Pi-Lampas hosts seminar on: The Coptic icon throughout the ages

“The Coptic icon has always played a significant role in the worship and rituals of the Church,” Dr Zikry said.

“Some archaeologists and scholars of history of Coptic Art”, Dr Zikry said, “believe that icons were first hung in homes, and that it was not till the third or fourth centuries that they were used in churches. When Emperor Constantine proclaimed religious tolerance in 313, allowing Christians to freely practice their faith, icons gained widespread presence in churches.”

Pi-Lampas hosts seminar on: The Coptic icon throughout the ages

Icons in the church or at home signify the spiritual presence of Christ and the saints, and events relating to them. Iconographers project icons that are considered religious beauties and aim at inspiring and teaching the faithful the mysteries of the Christian faith. As ‘visual theology’, icons stand between the material and spiritual realms. With numerous new converts entering the Christian realm, icons played the role of conveying the Bible to the illiterate in an appealing, easily understood visual message. Despite early opposition to the use of icons in the sense that they were being venerated in their own right, Church leaders later endorsed the use of icons to help the congregation assimilate Christianity and its doctrine.

 

Diptychs and triptychs

Coptic Iconography reached its peak during the 4th and 7th centuries. Dr Zikry gave examples of icons during that era, such as the 8th century icon of Jesus Christ resting His right hand on the shoulder of Saint Mina, Abbot of the monastery of Anba Apollo in Baweet, Egypt. The icon is now at the Louvre in Paris.

Pi-Lampas hosts seminar on: The Coptic icon throughout the ages

The Middle Ages, according to Dr Zikry, saw the spread of Coptic icon art in diverse forms: icons, murals, woodwork, metalwork and pottery. Many that once graced old churches and monasteries were moved to the Coptic museum in Cairo and to other local and world museums.

Dr Zikry talked of the diptych and triptych icons which spread in use during the Islamic era that began in the 7th century. Diptychs carried two icons hinged together so they would fold easily, whereas triptychs carried three also foldable icons. They were frequently used by travellers and pilgrims who carried them for worship and as blessings on their way. An example of a diptych, cited by Dr Zikry, is now in the Coptic Museum in Cairo, and carries depictions of St Tadros (Theodore) and the Archangel Gabriel. They were painted in encaustic (wax), a Coptic-style art form that was used in the famous Roman-era Fayoum portraits, portraits of deceased persons painted on cartonnage and placed on their sarcophaguses.

Pi-Lampas hosts seminar on: The Coptic icon throughout the ages

Western and Byzantine influence

Coptic icons drew from the western influence that came through exchange of experience with various Churches such as those of Cyprus, Venice, and Rome, also Crusader art which prevailed in Egypt during the Mamluk era (1250 – 1517). They were also clearly influenced by the Byzantine style; this was explicitly manifested in the expressive gestures on faces such as when the angels and the Holy Virgin grieve at the foot of Cross, as well as the scenes of torture and blood of the martyrs.

Pi-Lampas hosts seminar on: The Coptic icon throughout the ages

Dr Zikry moved on to the 18th and 19th centuries, citing the prominent, prolific iconographers of the time. These included Ibrahim al-Nassekh most of whose works date between 1742 and 1783, the Armenian-born Yuhanna al-Armani (1720 – 1786) who has a splendid collection of icons at the Hanging Church in Old Cairo, and the Greek Anastasi al-Rumi who was active in 1832 – 1871. The icons of these centuries are signed by their writers, and carry inscriptions in Coptic, Arabic, and sometimes in Armenian. The Arabic included errors, meaning the language was more or less alien to them.

Modern-day iconographers

The 20th century saw an unprecedented activity in Coptic iconography, especially following the establishment of the Institute of Coptic Studies (ICS) in Cairo in 1954. The ICS includes a venerable department of Coptic Art in which some of the best iconographers teach and which graduates an excellent new generation of artists. It also includes workshops in which a variety of the best icons are produced.

Pi-Lampas hosts seminar on: The Coptic icon throughout the ages

Dr Zikry cited the great iconographer Isaac Fanous (1919 – 2007), the first chairman of the department of Coptic art at ICS, and pioneer of modern iconography. Dr Fanous used a neo-Coptic cubic style in which he blended contemporary iconography with tradition.

The artists Youssef Nassif (1920 – 2013) and Bedour Latif (1921 – 2012) were a married couple who worked together on icons and signed them jointly. Their creations are typically Coptic and reveal obvious characteristics of Egyptian folk art. Works by Fanous and Nassif/Latif adorn numerous Coptic churches inside and outside Egypt.

Pi-Lampas hosts seminar on: The Coptic icon throughout the ages

The seminar closed with discussions led by Anba Martyros who is himself a seasoned researcher and Coptic studies scholar. In 2018 he earned a PhD degree from the ICS; the topic was on “Illustrations and ornamentation styles in Coptic manuscripts from 10th to 15th Century”.

Anba Martyros thanked Dr Zikry for the wealth of information his lecture had imparted.

Pi-Lampas hosts seminar on: The Coptic icon throughout the ages

Pi-Lampas is a centre the activities of which focus on Coptic heritage and studies. It holds seminars and workshops, and arranges field trips. It trains junior researchers in Coptology, and offers language courses including Greek.

Watani International

8 May 2019

Comments

comments

Tags: Anba MartyrosBedour LatifCoptic artCoptic ChurchCoptic iconographyCoptic iconsInstitute of Coptic StudiesNader Alfy ZikryPi-LampasPiLampasYoussef Nassif

Related Posts

Egypt’s Africa effort
Economy

Egypt’s Africa effort

February 8, 2023
Conciliation between Ashrouba Copts and their attackers
Coptic Affairs

Conciliation between Ashrouba Copts and their attackers

January 17, 2023
First meeting between Shenouda and his adoptive parents
Coptic Affairs

Egypt’s human rights council demands Shenouda be handed to his adoptive parents

January 10, 2023
Pope receives Anba Pachomius following medical trip
Coptic Affairs

Pope receives Anba Pachomius following medical trip

December 20, 2022
Eli Lily and Eva Pharma to produce insulin in Egypt 
Economy

Eli Lily and Eva Pharma to produce insulin in Egypt 

December 15, 2022
Industrialist Raouf Ghabbour (1953 – 2022): Man of integrity
features

Industrialist Raouf Ghabbour (1953 – 2022): Man of integrity

December 14, 2022

Editorial

Development of the Giza Zoo: Favouring animals or humans?

More

MOST READ

For 28 years in Port Said: Holy Virgin icon still drips miraculous oil
Coptic Affairs

For 28 years in Port Said: Holy Virgin icon still drips miraculous oil

February 26, 2018
0

This February 2018 marks the 28th year in succession since miraculous oil started dripping from a large modern paper icon...

Read more
Isaac Fanous (1919 - 2007): Icons take a modern face 

Isaac Fanous (1919 – 2007): Icons take a modern face 

February 1, 2023
Story of four-year-old Shenouda raises disturbing questions on adoption and foster care in Egypt

Story of four-year-old Shenouda raises disturbing questions on adoption and foster care in Egypt

September 4, 2022
Church highlights first ever Coptic Christmas Mass in Saudi Arabia

Church highlights first ever Coptic Christmas Mass in Saudi Arabia

February 5, 2023
The Fast of Jonah

The Fast of Jonah

February 6, 2017

Features

Egypt’s Africa effort
Economy

Egypt’s Africa effort

February 8, 2023
0

In recent years, Egypt has been especially busy with the African continent to which it belongs. Apart from rushing to...

Read more
Watani started as an Egyptian weekly Sunday newspaper published in Cairo. The word Watani is Arabic for “My Homeland”. The paper was founded in 1958 by the prominent Copt Antoun Sidhom (1915 – 1995), who strove for the establishment of a civil, democratic society in Egypt, where all Egyptians would enjoy full citizenship rights regardless of their religious denomination. To this day when Watani is published as a weekly paper and an online news site, the objective remains the same. Those in charge of Watani view this role as a patriotic all-Egyptian vocation. Special attention is given to shedding light on Coptic culture and tradition as authentically Egyptian, this being a topic largely disregarded or little-understood by Egypt’s media. Watani is deeply dedicated to offer its readers high quality, extensive, objective, credible and well-researched media coverage, with special focus on Coptic issues, culture, heritage, and contribution to Egyptian society.
-----------------------------------------------------------

27 Abdel Khalek Tharwat st, Downtown, Abdeen,Cairo

00202-23927201

00202-23935946

 [email protected]

      

categories

  • News
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • Culture
  • Egypt – Arab Spring
  • Coptic Affairs
  • Features
  • Watani Special Features

Recent Posts

  • Syria and Turkey earthquake: Egypt sends urgent relief aid
  • Egypt’s Africa effort
  • NCHR joins defence team for five-year-old Shenouda
  • Church highlights first ever Coptic Christmas Mass in Saudi Arabia
  • Development of the Giza Zoo: Favouring animals or humans?
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • Culture
  • Egypt – Arab Spring
  • Coptic Affairs
  • Features
  • Watani Special Features

Powered BY 3A Digital.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Accidents
    • Crime
    • Diplomatic briefcase
    • NewsLine
    • Outside Cairo
    • Special Occasions
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • International media
    • Reader`s Corner
    • Opinion
  • Politics
    • Elections
    • International Politics
    • Islamisation Politics
    • National Affairs
    • Parliament
    • Politics
    • Protests
    • Rights
    • Terrorism
  • Culture
    • Antiquity
    • Art
    • Books
    • Culture
    • Drama
    • Egyptology
    • Festivals
    • Films
    • Heritage
    • Islamisation Culture
    • Media
    • Museums
    • Music
    • TV
  • Coptic
    • Church Affairs
    • Coptic Affairs
    • Coptic Culture
    • Copts in the Media
    • Coptology
    • Copts Abroad
    • Religious
      • P. Shenouda: Bible Study
    • Sectarian
    • Inter-religious
    • Holy Family
  • Features
    • Counselling Corner
    • features
    • Economy
      • Business
    • Education
    • Social Issues
      • Behaviour
      • Mothers Day
    • Health
    • Environment
    • Humour
    • In memorial
    • Interviews
    • Nile
    • Profile
    • Special needs
    • Sports
    • Technology
    • Tourism
    • Wars
    • Women
    • Youth
  • Watani Special Features
    • Egypt – Arab Spring
      • 25 January Revolution
      • 25 Jan revolution, one year on
      • Egypt post-30 June
    • Watani Milestones
      • 20 years Watani International
      • 10 years Watani International
      • Watani Jubilee
    • Pope Shenouda
    • Pope Tawadros
    • Watani Forum

Powered BY 3A Digital.

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In