The installation of Archbishop Sarah Mullally as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury on March 25, 2026, will mark a historic departure from tradition by using a modern Bible for the swearing-in ceremony, the first such change since 1945. This shift from the fragile 6th-century Augustine Gospels to the Heritage Edition of The Saint John's Bible underscores the significance of Mullally's role as the first female archbishop and reflects the Church of England's engagement with contemporary artistic and spiritual expressions.
For nearly 60 years, archbishops have been sworn in using the Augustine Gospels, a relic associated with St. Augustine, the first Archbishop of Canterbury, which is housed at Corpus Christi College in Cambridge. Due to its fragility and difficulty in transportation, Canterbury Cathedral has opted for the Heritage Edition of The Saint John's Bible, described as a Bible "for the 21st century." This edition is a facsimile of the original manuscript, one of only 299 in the world, and was blessed and dedicated by the cathedral on November 11, 2023, thanks to a gift from Elaine and Bruce Culver.
The Saint John's Bible is notable as the first hand-scribed, illuminated manuscript commissioned by a Benedictine monastery since the invention of the printing press over 500 years ago. Created under the artistic direction of Donald Jackson, former senior scribe to Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II's Crown Office at the House of Lords, it blends ancient scribal traditions with modern themes. During the installation service, the Bible will be open to the beginning of Luke 1 on the Nave altar, with Archbishop Mullally laying her hand on it as she takes her oath. The cathedral has further personalized this edition with a special bookmark crafted in March 2024 by Dr. Alyson Osterloh, a retired physician and cathedral stitcher, using textiles from the Cathedral Sewing Room.
This change holds importance as it symbolizes a move toward inclusivity and modernization within the Anglican Communion, while still honoring historical roots. The use of The Saint John's Bible, which integrates contemporary art and global perspectives, may resonate with a broader audience, potentially revitalizing interest in religious texts and ceremonies. Additionally, an Apostles Edition of The Saint John's Bible, one of only 12 in existence, was gifted to Lambeth Palace on November 8, 2023, and is now available for public viewing in the Lambeth Palace Library, further extending the Bible's accessibility and impact.
The Church of England will livestream the installation service on March 25, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. ET, allowing global participation in this historic event. For more details on The Saint John's Bible, visit https://saintjohnsbible.org.
