Tim Bryars

Antiquarian map & bookseller in Cecil Court, WC2. Half of Bryars & Bryars; co-organiser London Map Fair; co-author 'A History of the 20th Century in 100 Maps'.

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

Much to digest from the last few days, but the 6th century Christ Pantocrator at St Catherine's Monastery, expressing Christ's humanity and divinity in a single image, is one of the most extraordinary things I have ever seen, and no photo can do it justice.

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

@RogerTreglown1 Local brand of cigarettes - people seem genuinely pleased when foreigners join in! And the ones in soft packets seem to win particular approval.

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

Night out in Cairo with our friend Joseph Tawadros and pals. Really delicious hawawshi, stuffed pigeon, kofte rolled in fat, liver, brains... I think Joe was testing us! Pinda's softpack Cleopatras were pronounced hardcore, and we relearned how to cross the road (be decisive!)

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

@michellezenner Good question! I'd assumed floral, but I could easily be missing something obvious.

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

Extraordinary syncretic Greco-Roman-Egyptian funerary art in the catacombs in Alexandria illustrating how 'ordinary' people (rather than a ruling elite) practiced paganism in the 2nd to 4th centuries AD, either side of Christianity becoming the state religion.

[Marcus Walker @WalkerMarcus]

Massive excitement - the Merneptah Stele! A massive inscription of Egyptian victories in Canaan and, among the people defeated, is “Israel”. Not only is this the first use of Israel BUT… the hieroglyph for Israel is for a nomadic people…

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

Fayum mummy portraits in the old Cairo museum. Like walking down a street in Greco-Roman Egypt.

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

Coptic Cairo. We were permitted to say morning prayer in the Hanging Church - a privilege. Such a warm welcome everywhere!

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

@Bowermanland Yes, both humble and warm! And eyes around and (doubtless) within!

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

A taste of the surviving frescoes, which give a sense of how richly decorated the churches were.

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

The monasteries of the Western Desert are simply extraordinary, not just for understanding the roots of monasticism but for visiting some of the oldest (4th-5th century) churches in continous use.

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

It was indeed all ok again by daylight!

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

In Cairo tonight. The view from our restaurant - not AI generated or even tweaked! I know it will look very different in the morning.

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

Look on my works ye mighty, and despair. Local vibe, Ramesseum.

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

Black tie dinner on the Nile (after Eucharist, of course).

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

Night train to Luxor

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

About to ascend Mount Sinai by camel at 2am this morning. With my fellow @StBartholomews pilgrims, we ascended the penitential steps (glad it was still dark when we did that) in time for a spectacular sunrise at the summit of the holy mountain.

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

The bat which @StBartholomews parishioner W.G. Grace carried when he made his first century in 1864.

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

Last match of the season

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

Homemade scones and cricket at Lord's. Perfect.