The installation of Archbishop Sarah Mullally as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury on March 25, 2026, represents a significant moment for the Church of England and the worldwide Anglican Communion, not only as she becomes the first woman to hold the position but also due to the symbolic choice of scripture for her oath. For the first time since 1945, the ceremony will depart from using the fragile 6th-century Augustine Gospels, instead employing a modern, hand-scribed Bible that reflects both continuity and change.
The Augustine Gospels, traditionally used for nearly 60 years and believed to be a relic of St Augustine, the first Archbishop of Canterbury, reside at Corpus Christi College in Cambridge and are not easily moved due to their fragility. Canterbury Cathedral has chosen to use its Heritage Edition of The Saint John's Bible to honor this historic installation. Described as a Bible "for the 21st century," it is the first hand-scribed, illuminated manuscript commissioned by a Benedictine monastery since the invention of the printing press over 500 years ago, blending ancient tradition with modern themes 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.
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. This Heritage Edition is one of only 299 facsimiles in the world, blessed and dedicated by Canterbury Cathedral on November 11, 2023, thanks to the generosity of Elaine and Bruce Culver. The Cathedral further personalized this edition with a special bookmark crafted in March 2024 by retired physician and cathedral stitcher Dr. Alyson Osterloh, using textiles from the Cathedral Sewing Room.
In a related development, an Apostles Edition of The Saint John's Bible, of which only 12 exist, was gifted to Lambeth Palace on November 8, 2023, and now resides in the Lambeth Palace Library, available for public viewing. The original manuscript of The Saint John's Bible consists of 1,150 pages across seven volumes and is housed at the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library on the Saint John's University campus. The Heritage and Apostles Editions are fine art reproductions that took roughly eight years to produce, faithfully capturing the spirit of the project directed by Donald Jackson.
The implications of this announcement extend beyond ceremonial tradition, signaling a potential shift in how religious institutions engage with modernity while honoring their heritage. By incorporating a contemporary yet meticulously crafted Bible into such a pivotal event, the Church of England may inspire broader conversations about inclusivity, artistic expression in faith, and the adaptation of ancient practices for today's world. The livestream of the service on March 25, 2026, at 10:30 am ET will allow a global audience to witness this historic moment, potentially influencing perceptions of leadership and tradition within Anglicanism and other religious communities.
