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Document Details : Title: The Ninth- and Tenth-Century Paintings in Deir al-Surian Subtitle: Syriac Influences in a Coptic Monastery Author(s): INNEMÉE, Karel C. Journal: Eastern Christian Art Volume: 14 Date: 2025 Pages: 143-175 DOI: 10.2143/ECA.14.0.3295410 Abstract : Between the ninth and the sixteenth centuries the Monastery of the Holy Virgin of Anba Bishoi in Sketis, better known as Deir al-Surian, was home to a mixed Coptic-Syriac community. The Syrian-born Abbot Moses of Nisibis (first half of the tenth century) has left a deep imprint on the monastery, perhaps more so than any other abbot. An important testimony to this can be found back in the Church of the Holy Virgin, where he commissioned important renovations. It is clear that this church served a mixed community. The captions of paintings and other inscriptions are in Greek, Coptic and Syriac and the iconography reflects the common beliefs and traditions of Copts and Syrians. Nevertheless, there are points where the personal touch of Moses and Syriac patristics emerge from under the surface as factors of influence in the iconography of the interior decoration of the church. This article presents an exploration of what can be seen as elements of the Syriac tradition in the works commissioned by Moses of Nisibis. |
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