Christianity OrthodoxPassing through Mos Square, these multicoloured mosaics from the Coptic tradition are not to be missed.
Location
Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Type
Church
Religious community
Coptic Orthodox Church
Description
Two mosaics depicting the Blessed Virgin Mary with the child Jesus and the Flight of the Holy Family to Egypt
Maker and date
Adel Nassief
2012-2018
Visit
The mosaics are visible on the façade of the cathedral
Current interior
Current exterior
Coptic Art Tradition in Amsterdam
Two colourful mosaics adorn the façade of this Coptic Orthodox cathedral. The mosaic above the door shows the Virgin Mary with her Son, the Lord Jesus, on her lap. She is depicted in a typical Coptic style and is flanked by angels. The Virgin Mary is prominently depicted on the façade because the cathedral is named after her. The mosaic on the right depicts the Holy Family -the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Joseph and the Lord Jesus- during their flight to Egypt.
The two mosaics on the façade and all the icons in the interior are the work of Egyptian iconographer and artist Adel Nassief (1962-2021). His Coptic icons, mosaics and frescoes are not only admired in the Netherlands. His works can be found all around the world.
Icons are an essential part of every Coptic church. With simple colourful imagery, icons illustrate the stories from the Holy Bible and the teachings of the Church. In addition, the icons make the observers feel like they are in heaven.
Icons by Adel Nassief on the iconostasis (wall made up of icons in Orthodox churches) of the cathedral.
Although the current interior is decorated in the centuries-old Coptic style, the building was built in 1952 as a Protestant church. Due to dwindling church membership, the church was sold in the 1980s. On 2 October 1985, the building got its current owner: the Coptic Orthodox community. This ancient Christian community is originally from Egypt. The Copts have been a growing community in Amsterdam since the 1960s.
Since the eighties, Divine Liturgies have been held almost daily in this church as well as many activities. On June 15th, 2013, His Excellency Bishop Arseny was consecrated by the Coptic Pope, His Holiness Tawadros II, as the first Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the Netherlands. This makes this cathedral, besides being the first Coptic church in the Netherlands, also the seat of the Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Netherlands.
The Divine Liturgy (Coptic Orthodox)
A service to the people in which rituals and prayers are performed according to a set pattern. The service of the Divine Liturgy includes specific readings. In the context of the Oriental Orthodox Church, of which the Copts are a part, the Eucharist is central to the Divine Liturgy.
Bishop (Coptic Orthodox)
Head and leader of a Diocese. A Bishop is a cleric who has received one of the higher degrees of ecclesiastical ordination. The Pope has received the highest degree.
His Excellency Bishop Arseny, Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the Netherlands and Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau.
Leden van de Projectcommissie van het Koptisch-Orthodoxe Bisdom van Nederland
Last edited
October 22, 2024
Façade of the Coptic Orthodox Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 2024. Photography André Hanna.
Interior and exterior: photography André Hanna.
Detail of the iconostasis of the Coptic Orthodox Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 2024. Photography André Hanna.
Bishop Arseny, 2024. Photography George Wahba.
Arseny, A., Een stralende kaars: de koptische kerk in Nederland (Koptisch-Orthodox Bisdom van Nederland 2023).
Online sources
Youtube-kanaal van het Koptisch Orthodox Bisdom
Last visited 02-10-2024
Website van het Koptisch-Orthodox Bisdom
Last visited 02-10-2024