Amazon.com description: Product Description: The Coptic Church owes it existence to the evangelization of Egypt by St Mark and thus claims to be one of the churches most faithful to the biblical message of the beginnings of Christianity. This book is the result of a comprehensive examination of the archaeological studies and historical literature of Coptic Christian monasteries and churches, supported by photographs and architectural drawings, as well as many colour plates. In it, Gawdat Gabra shares his knowledge of contemporary archaeological activity and the most recent consensus regarding the dates and other questions concerning churches and monasteries. The contributions of Otto Meinardus and Marie-Helene Rutschowscaya offer comprehensive surveys of the 2000-year history of the Coptic Church and of the artistic expression of the Coptic world. Together they aim to bring to life the history of this culture, which has enjoyed a renewal, through the most beautiful artistic landscapes of the Nile Valley, of oases and deserts, the purity of the buildings in the sunlight, the sumptuousness of the paintings, the illuminations and the fabrics.