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.

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.