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Eng. Sherif Morgan / Engineering Research Journal 151 (September 2016) A14-A36
A14
Shaker’s typological classification of
Coptic Orthodox Church design
An application on Historic Coptic churches of
Old Cairo and Fustat Sherif Raouf Morgan
1. INTRODUCTION
The Coptic Orthodox Church is a Church that articulated its style and
elements in Egypt, affected by its geography, climate, and above all the surrounding
civilizations it emerged within. Most of the ancient churches that were built in the
first four centuries were ruined. However, starting the fifth century, churches still
exist and are subject for research. Even though documentation is poor, yet some
research has been made regarding the different typologies of the Coptic Orthodox
Church design.
Different classifications of Coptic Orthodox Church Typologies are made,
starting by Butler in 18841, then Bishop Samuel and Badie Habib in 20022, then
Capuani in 20023, then Nicolas 20044, and finally Sami Sabri Shaker5 in 2012. One
can conclude that typologies were based on either the architectural plan design, or
the ceiling design, or both together. The latter combines the first two methods of
classification, thus results in a deeper understanding of the historical Coptic
Churches. Accordingly, the typologies of Shaker will be adopted by the researcher
to classify the Churches of Old Cairo and Fustat as an exercise of applying those
typologies on case studies and checking if the case studies follow some or all of
those typologies or not.
1 Butler, (1884) pp. 6-7 القبة القبطية, بديع حبيب جورجي, صموئيل ) األنبا ( 23 Capuani, et al, (2002) pp.41-44 4 Nicolas, (2004) pp.218-220 شاكر, )2182( ص 831-828 5
Eng. Sherif Morgan / Engineering Research Journal 151 (September 2016) A14-A36
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2. METHODOLOGY
The methodology adopted in this paper starts by explaining and elaborating
Shaker’s typological classification. After which, case studies from the designated
area, which is Old Cairo and added to it Fustat area, are analyzed. The outcome of
the typologies study together with the case study analysis will be compared together
to reach conclusions on whether the Coptic Churches in Old Cairo and Fustat
represent some of the various Shaker’s typologies of Coptic Orthodox Church
designs in general or not. Moreover, if they follow certain typologies, to identify and
classify them accordingly.
3. SHAKER’S TYPOLOGIES OF HISTORICAL COPTIC
ORTHODOX CHURCH DESIGN
Professor Sami Sabri1 in 2012 published an article on the typologies of the
Coptic Orthodox Historical Churches in the event of the Golden Jubilee of the
establishment of the Church Ministry of Education. His typologies has classified the
Coptic Orthodox Churches into nine different types. The focal elements of
classification are the nave together with its roofing type. Moreover, variations of the
sanctuary area of the Basilican plan2. The following table shows the typology and
sample shape to elaborate the typology without getting into details of the
subdivisions.
SHAPE TYPOLOGY EXAMPLES
Churches with
Domed Nave
(Single, Double, six,
nine, or more)
Church of Virgin Mary Tokh Al-
Nassara
Church of St. Marcorious (Al-
Maymoun monastery)
Church of Virgin Mary and St.
Anthony in St. Anthony
monastery
Churches with
Vaulted Nave
Church of Archangel Mikhail in
St. Bishoy Monastery
The Church in the keep of the
Syrian monastery.
1 Dean of the Institute of Coptic Studies, and a professor of Architecture and Urban Design in Cairo
University, faculty of engineering, architectural department. شاكر, )2182( ص 831-828 2
Eng. Sherif Morgan / Engineering Research Journal 151 (September 2016) A14-A36
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SHAPE TYPOLOGY EXAMPLES
Churches roofed
with Domes and
Vaults
Church of the monastery of Anba
Thomas, North Akhmim
Church of the monastery of St.
Hedra
Churches with
Square Nave
Virgin Mary church in Fisha Al-
Nassara village
Virgin Mary church in Sabk El-
Ahad
Church of the Martyr Anba
Sarabamon, Melig village
Akhmim Churches
Church of Mar-Guirguis El-
Hadidy monastery
Church of Virgin Mary monastery
in Hawaweesh, Akhmim
Churches influenced
by Byzantine
architecture
Church of St.Menas (east basilica)
Eng. Sherif Morgan / Engineering Research Journal 151 (September 2016) A14-A36
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SHAPE TYPOLOGY EXAMPLES
Basilican Plan
Churches
Virgin Mary Church, Syrian
Monastery.
St.Barbara Church, Old Cairo
Sr. Sergius and Backhus
Church, Old Cairo
Basilican Plan
Churches
With Triconch
Sanctuary
Monastery of Anba Shenouda,
Sohag (White monastery)
Monastery of Anba Bishay,
Sohag (Red monastery)
Basilican Plan
Churches
With Transept
St. Menas main church
Al-Ashmunayn Basilica
Table 1 Architectural typologies of Historical Coptic Churches, by Dr. Sami Sabri
Shaker1
شاكر, )2182( ص 831-828 1
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4. CASE STUDY ANALYSIS OF OLD CAIRO AND FUSTAT
HISTORIC COPTIC CHURCHES
To check whether the Coptic Churches in Old Cairo and Fustat represent
some of the typologies stated by Shaker or not, case studies will be selected from
those regions, their architectural plans and roofing system will be discussed and
finally related to Shaker’s typologies and check whether Old Cairo and Fustat
Churches represent some of those types or not.
Old Cairo includes many historic Coptic buildings, some of which are
functionally not churches, while others are, but have been demolished and
reconstructed during the course of history with no reference to the historic original
building. In both cases they are out of the scope of this research. This leaves four
churches that can be examined according to these criteria: Virgin Mary Hanging
Church, Saint Sergius and Saint Bacchus Church, Saint Barbara Church, and Virgin
Mary Kasreyat Al-Rihan Church. Of the other historic buildings is the church of
Saint George which is out of the scope of this research as it is Roman Orthodox and
not Coptic. In addition to Saint George Church are the two modern churches, the
new Virgin Mary Kasreyat Al-Rihan and the new Saint George Church built on the
site of the historic church. Finally, the Nunnery of Saint George that was originally
a hall then converted into a church in the 14th-15th century. All those churches will
not be part of the analyses. Figure-1 shows the monuments of Old Cairo and the four
historic churches that will be analyzed.
The site location of Al-Fustat includes a complex of three churches and a
nunnery. The three churches are Saint Mercurius Abo Sefein Church, Saint Shenoute
Church, Virgin Mary Al-Damshareya Church and the nunnery of Saint Mercurius
Abo Sefein. The church of Abo Sefein used to be the main church serving the
nunnery of Abo Sefein as the nunnery had no church within its complex. Later on
several modern chapels and one big church have been built inside the boundaries of
the nunnery complex. However, they will not be part of this research as they are not
historic churches. Figure-2 shows the monuments of Fustat and the three historic
case studied churches in different colors. The colors are not a significant of various
construction eras.
Eng. Sherif Morgan / Engineering Research Journal 151 (September 2016) A14-A36
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Figure 1 Plan Showing the Monuments of Old Cairo with the Historic Coptic
Churches in the scope of this research. (N.B. the colors are not significant of various
construction eras) (Sheehan, Peter 2010 p.4) 1
Figure 2 Plan Showing the Area of Fustat and the Historic Coptic Case Study
Churches2
1 Morgan, Sherif (2011) p.52 2 Morgan, Sherif (2011) p.157
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4.1 VIRGIN MARY CHURCH (HANGING CHURCH)
The church follows a basilica plan, rectangular in the East West direction.
Although it is not a typical Basilica with one universal nave, however the case here
shows an exception of a nave split into two due to the construction of the church
above the Babylon fortress walls. Beside the nave are the North and South aisles.
Figure 3 Virgin Mary Hanging Church Plan
Plan prepared, surveyed, and updated by researcher based on Capuani, et al (2002)1
The roof of the church nave and southern aisle are covered with three wooden
barrel vaults, however the northern aisle is covered with a flat ceiling. The southern
chapel has a mix roofing too, where its northern part is covered with a barrel vault
and the southern part is covered with a flat ceiling.
Figure 4 Virgin Mary Hanging Church Roof Design Analysis2
1 Morgan, Sherif (2011) p.57 2 Morgan, Sherif (2011) p.63
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4.2 SAINT SERGIUS AND SAINT BACCHUS CHURCH
The church building style is a basilica plan, rectangular in the East West
direction. The nave is at the center with a north and south aisles together with an
internal narthex.
Figure 5 Saint Sergius and Saint Bacchus Church Plan
Plan prepared, surveyed, and updated by researcher based on Capuani, et al (2002)1
The roof of the church nave is covered with a pitched roof; the main central
altar is roofed with a barrel vault and a hemisphere. Two shallow domes cover the
north and south sanctuary areas. The rest of the aisles are covered with a plain
horizontal roof.
Figure 6 Saint Sergius and Saint Bacchus Church Roof Design Analysis2
1 Morgan, Sherif (2011) p.84 2 Morgan, Sherif (2011) p.89
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4.3 SAINT BARBARA CHURCH
The church building style is a basilica plan, rectangular in the East West
direction, with an attached northern chapel. The naïve is clear at the center with a
northern and southern aisle, and a western internal narthex.
Figure 7 Saint Barbara Church Plan
Plan prepared, surveyed, and updated by researcher
based on Capuani, et al (2002)1
The roof of the church nave is covered with a wooden barrel vault. The
sanctuary area has a flat roof. As for the attached north chapel. The central and
southern altars are covered with a dome; however, to the north apse is covered with
a flat ceiling. All the rest of the church aisles and galleries are covered with a flat
roof.
Figure 8 Saint Barbara Church Roof Design Analysis2
1 Morgan, Sherif (2011) p.112 2 Morgan, Sherif (2011) p.117
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4.4 VIRGIN MARY KASREYAT AL-RIHAN CHURCH
The church building does not follow the normal basilican plan. The central
nave is separated from the northern and southern aisles by two columns, one at each
side. There is no return aisle nor internal narthex. In this church the narthex is an
external type.
Figure 9 Virgin Mary Kasreyat Al-Rihan Church Plan
Plan prepared, surveyed, and updated by researcher
based on Capuani, et al (2002)1
The church nave and aisles are covered with six domes roof. The central nave
is covered with two higher domes, and each of the northern and southern aisles are
covered with two shallower domes.
Figure 10 Virgin Mary Kasreyat Al-Rihan Church Roof Design Analysis2
1 Morgan, Sherif (2011) p.139 2 Morgan, Sherif (2011) p.144
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4.5 SAINT MERCURIUS ABO SEFEIN CHURCH
The church building style is a basilica plan, rectangular in the East West
direction, with an attached northern chapel. The naïve is clear at the center with a
northern and southern aisle, and a western internal narthex. This church is bigger
than all the surrounding ones and acted as the Cathedral at some point in time.
Figure 11 Saint Mercurius Abo Sefein Church plan
Plan prepared, surveyed, and updated by researcher based on Capuani, et al (2002)1
The roof of this church nave is a pitched wooden roof. The main central altar
is covered with a dome standing on an octagon with three hemispheres forming a
triconch shape. The southern gallery altar is covered with a dome. The rest of the
galleries are roofed with flat horizontal planes.
Figure 12 Saint Mercurius Abo Sefein Church Roof Design Analysis2
1 Morgan, Sherif (2011) p.161 2 Morgan, Sherif (2011) p.168
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4.6 SAINT SHENOUTE CHURCH
The church building style is a basilica plan, rectangular in the East West
direction. The naïve at the center together with a north and south aisles together with
an internal narthex at the west side. The baptistery and the epiphany tank space are
attached to the church from the southern side.
Figure 23 Saint Shenoute Church Plan
Plan prepared, surveyed, and updated by researcher based on Capuani, et al (2002)1
The roof of this church nave is a pitched wooden roof. The main central altar
is covered with a dome on an octagonal shape elevated from the roof level. The north
altar is also covered with a dome that is smaller in size and shallower in height.
Figure 34 Saint Shenoute Church Roof Design Analysis2
1 Morgan, Sherif (2011) p.191 2 Morgan, Sherif (2011) p.196
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4.7 VIRGIN MARY AL-DAMSHAREYA CHURCH
The church building is a rectangular basilica plan, in the east west direction
with a slight deviation in the western part of the church. The naïve is at the center
with three surrounding aisles, the north, south, and west.
Figure 45 Virgin Mary Al-Damshareya Church Plan
Plan prepared, surveyed, and updated by researcher based on Capuani, et al (2002)1
The roof of this church nave, north, and south galleries are covered with
wooden barrel vaults. The return west gallery is covered with a flat horizontal roof.
The main central altar is covered with a dome.
Figure 56 Virgin Mary Al-Damshareya Church Roof Design Analysis2
1 Morgan, Sherif (2011) p.218 2 Morgan, Sherif (2011) p.221
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5. ARCHITECTURAL TYPOLOGIES OF OLD CAIRO AND
FUSTAT HISTORIC COPTIC CHURCHES
The following is a comparison between the seven selected case studies in
terms of their architectural plan. Followed by a comparison of the roof designs. Then
to relate to Shaker’s classification, the case studies plan and roof analysis will be
juxtaposed together to form the 3D analysis comparison of the case study church
buildings. This final 3D analyses will then be compared to Shaker’s typologies to
check if the Old Cairo and Fustat Churches represent some of those types or not. The
juxtaposition is done to relate to the classification system Shaker did regarding
relating the nave and its roofing together.
Figure 67 Methodology of analyses, by researcher
Each case study will undergo the same process in terms of juxtaposing the
architectural plan to the roofing system to reach out the third dimension analyses,
which is then compared to Shaker’s typologies. The following is one sample to
elaborate the process. After which the researcher puts all the seven Churches in one
table to help see the situation as a whole.
+
=
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5.1 CASE STUDIES CHURCH PLANS COMAPRITIVE ANALYSES
From the below figure, and by comparing the Old Cairo and Fustat Historical
case study Church plans, the researcher concludes that six out of seven churches are
following the basilican plan. Only Virgin Mary Al-Damshareya Church is of another
type, which is not following the basilican plan order.
Figure 18 Case studies Church Plans Comparison1
1 Morgan, Sherif (2011) p.250
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5.2 CASE STUDIES CHURCH ROOFS COMAPRITIVE ANALYSES
From the below figure, and by comparing the Old Cairo and Fustat Historical
case study Church roofs, the researcher concludes that all naves are covered with
special structures. The cases will be compared to Shaker’s classification in a
following diagram to check if they represent some of the common typologies.
Figure 19 Case studies Church Roofs Comparison1
1 Morgan, Sherif (2011) p.257
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5.3 CASE STUDIES CHURCH THIRD DIMENSION ANALYSES
The below figure is the outcome of analyzing the case study church plans
with their roofing systems. This will help link to the classification system done by
Shaker to answer the research question of this paper.
Figure 20 Case studies Church Third Dimension Comparison1
1 Morgan, Sherif (2011) p.248
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5.4 CASE STUDY CHURCHES COMPARED TO SHAKER’S
TYPOLOGIES
The following figures 19 and 20 have Shaker’s classification system and the
possible examples from the case studies of Old Cairo and Fustat historic Coptic
Churches, to confirm if they represent some of those types and which ones.From
figure 19, it is clear that all Old Cairo Church case studies follow different typologies
suggested by Shaker. Three of which mix between two typologies, which are the
churches with vaulted nave and with a basilican plan order. Those churches are
Virgin Mary Hanging Church, St. Sergius and St. Bacchus Church, and finally St.
Barbara Church. The only different church in this area and even from Fustat area is
Virgin Mary Kasreyat Al-Rehan Church; which only follows the typology of
Churches with Domed Nave. From figure 20, it is clear that all Fustat Church case
studies follow two of the typologies suggested by Shaker. The three case studies
follow the typology of churches with vaulted nave. Moreover, they all follow the
typology of basilican plan churches. Only one exception is that the church of St. Abo
Sefein also follows the typology of basilican churches with triconch sanctuary.
Eng. Sherif Morgan / Engineering Research Journal 151 (September 2016) A14-A36
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Eng. Sherif Morgan / Engineering Research Journal 151 (September 2016) A14-A36
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Figure 21 Comparative Analysis using Shaker's Classification, Old Cairo Area, by
researcher.
Figure 22 Comparative Analysis using Shaker's Classification, Fustat Area, by
researcher.
Eng. Sherif Morgan / Engineering Research Journal 151 (September 2016) A14-A36
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6. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION
To answer the question if the Coptic churches in Old Cairo and Fustat
represent some of the various Shaker’s typologies of Coptic Orthodox Church design
or not; the researcher went through a systematic process to reach the answer. The
researcher started by stating the methodology adopted to reach the results. Then the
researcher selected Shaker’s typological classification, as it is the most typological
classification that includes most Church designs. Case studies of Old Cairo and
Fustat were then analyzed -based on a previous documentation done by the
researcher to the same case studies- in a manner that helps comparing with Shaker’s
typological selected classification. Comparison has been made and the following are
the results and conclusions.
All historical Coptic Othodox Churches of Old Cairo and Fustat represent
some of Shaker’s typologies. Six of them share two typologies which are the
Churches with vaulted nave together with the Basilican Plan Churches. Only St. Abo
Sefein Church also follows the Basilican Plan Churches with Triconch Sanctuary.
Moreover, the Virgin Mary Kasreyat Al-Rihan Church is the only different Church
from the rest of the case studies that does not follow the Basilican plan typology;
however, it follows the Churches with Domed Nave typology.
From these results and conclusions, the researcher would like to recommend
further research in the typological classifications of contemporary churches. This
field of research is missing and is causing a gap in science to understand modern and
contemporary church design outcomes. Moreover, by using the same methodology,
further case studies of different areas may be analyzed and findings might be of
interest if related to geographical regions, climates, and cross-cultural impacts.
Eng. Sherif Morgan / Engineering Research Journal 151 (September 2016) A14-A36
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Figure 23 Comparative Analysis Conclusion using Shaker's Classification, for Old
Cairo and Fustat Case studies, by researcher
Eng. Sherif Morgan / Engineering Research Journal 151 (September 2016) A14-A36
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List of References
1. Butler, Alfred J. (1884). Ancient Coptic Churches of Egypt (Volume 1), Oxford at
the Clarendon Press.
2. Capuani, Massimo, et al (2002). Christian Egypt, The American University in Cairo
Press, Egypt.
3. Morgan, Sherif (2011). The Architecture of Old Cairo and Fustat Historic Coptic
Churches, M.Sc. Degree dissertation, Cairo University Faculty of Engineering, Giza,
Egypt
4. Nicolas Kamel, Magued (2004).Design criteria of Coptic Architecture in Egypt,
PH.D Degree dissertation, Alexandria University( Faculty of Fine Arts)
,القبة القبطية ,بديع حبيب جورجي ,صموئيل ) األنبا ( .8
, مجلة معهد الدراسات القبطية, للكنائس القبطية األثرية األنماط المعمارية(. 2182شاكر, سامي صبري ) .2
المجلد التاسع
List of Figures Figure 1 Plan Showing the Monuments of Old Cairo with the Historic Coptic Churches in
the scope of this research. (Sheehan, Peter 2010 p.4) ..................................... A19
Figure 2 Plan Showing the Area of Fustat and the Historic Coptic Case Study Churches
.......................................................................................................................... A19
Figure 3 Virgin Mary Hanging Church Plan .................................................................. A20
Figure 4 Virgin Mary Hanging Church Roof Design Analysis ...................................... A20
Figure 5 Saint Sergius and Saint Bacchus Church Plan ................................................. A21
Figure 6 Saint Sergius and Saint Bacchus Church Roof Design Analysis ..................... A21
Figure 7 Saint Barbara Church Plan ............................................................................... A22
Figure 8 Saint Barbara Church Roof Design Analysis ................................................... A22
Figure 9 Virgin Mary Kasreyat Al-Rihan Church Plan .................................................. A23
Figure 10 Virgin Mary Kasreyat Al-Rihan Church Roof Design Analysis .................... A23
Figure 11 Saint Mercurius Abo Sefein Church plan ....................................................... A24
Figure 12 Saint Mercurius Abo Sefein Church Roof Design Analysis .......................... A24
Figure 13 Saint Shenoute Church Plan ........................................................................... A25
Figure 14 Saint Shenoute Church Roof Design Analysis ............................................... A25
Figure 15 Virgin Mary Al-Damshareya Church Plan ..................................................... A26
Figure 16 Virgin Mary Al-Damshareya Church Roof Design Analysis......................... A26
Figure 17 Methodology of analyses, by researcher ........................................................ A27
Figure 18 Case studies Church Plans Comparison ......................................................... A28
Figure 19 Case studies Church Roofs Comparison ........................................................ A29
Figure 20 Case studies Church Third Dimension Comparison ...................................... A30
Figure 21 Comparative Analysis using Shaker's Classification, Old Cairo Area ........... A33
Figure 22 Comparative Analysis using Shaker's Classification, Fustat Area ................. A33
Figure 23 Comparative Analysis Conclusion using Shaker's Classification, for Old Cairo
and Fustat Case studies, by researcher .......................................................... A35
List of Tables Table 1 Architectural typologies of Historical Coptic Churches, by Dr. Sami Sabri Shaker
........................................................................................................................... A17