The Most Reverend Sarah Mullally is set to become the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury on March 25, 2026, in a historic installation service that will feature The Saint John's Bible Heritage Edition for her oath of office. This marks the first time since 1945 that a modern Bible will be used for the swearing-in ceremony, departing from the tradition of using the fragile 6th-century Augustine Gospels, which have been used for nearly 60 years.
The choice of The Saint John's Bible, described as a Bible "for the 21st century," holds deep significance. It is the first hand-scribed, illuminated manuscript commissioned by a Benedictine Monastery since the invention of the printing press over 500 years ago. Created by artistic director Donald Jackson, former senior scribe to Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II's Crown Office at the House of Lords, the Bible blends ancient tradition with modern themes. During the installation, the Bible will be open to the beginning of Luke 1 on the Nave altar, and Archbishop Sarah will lay her hand on it as she takes her oath.
Canterbury Cathedral blessed and dedicated a Heritage Edition of The Saint John's Bible on November 11, 2023, made possible through the generosity of Elaine and Bruce Culver. This edition, of which only 299 exist worldwide, is adorned with a special bookmark crafted by retired physician and cathedral stitcher Dr. Alyson Osterloh, using textiles from the Cathedral Sewing Room. Additionally, an Apostles Edition, limited to 12 copies, was gifted to Lambeth Palace on November 8, 2023, and is available for public viewing at the Lambeth Palace Library.
The installation of the first female Archbishop of Canterbury is a landmark event for the Church of England and the worldwide Anglican Communion. The use of a modern Bible underscores a commitment to contemporary relevance while honoring tradition. The service will be livestreamed by the Church of England on March 25, 2026, at 10:30 am ET, allowing a global audience to witness this historic occasion.
The Saint John's Bible original manuscript consists of 1,150 pages in seven volumes and resides at the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library on the Saint John's University campus. The Heritage and Apostles Editions are fine art reproductions faithfully capturing the spirit of the original project, which took roughly eight years to produce. For more information, visit The Saint John's Bible website.
