On March 25, 2026, Archbishop Sarah Mullally will be installed as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, becoming the first woman to hold the position. In a significant departure from tradition, she will swear her oath on The Saint John's Bible Heritage Edition, a modern illuminated manuscript, rather than the ancient Augustine Gospels that have been used for nearly 60 years.
The Augustine Gospels, a 6th-century relic of St. Augustine, the first Archbishop of Canterbury, reside at Corpus Christi College in Cambridge and are too fragile to be moved. To honor the historic installation of the first female Archbishop, Canterbury Cathedral chose to use its Heritage Edition of The Saint John's Bible, described as a Bible 'for the 21st century.' This edition is a facsimile of the first hand-scribed, illuminated manuscript commissioned by a Benedictine Monastery since the invention of the printing press. Created by artistic director Donald Jackson, former senior scribe to Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II's Crown Office, the Bible blends ancient tradition with modern themes.
During the installation service, 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. The Cathedral adorned this Heritage Edition with a special bookmark made by retired physician and cathedral stitcher Dr. Alyson Osterloh, crafted from textiles found in the Cathedral Sewing Room.
An Apostles Edition of The Saint John's Bible, of which only 12 exist, was also gifted to Lambeth Palace on November 8, 2023, and now resides in the Lambeth Palace Library for public viewing. The original manuscript of The Saint John's Bible consists of 1,150 pages created in seven volumes and resides at the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library on the Saint John's University campus. More information is available at saintjohnsbible.org.
The Church of England will livestream the service on March 25, 2026 at 10:30 am ET. This historic installation not only marks a milestone for gender equality in the Church but also symbolizes a blending of ancient and modern traditions, as the new Archbishop is sworn in using a Bible that reflects contemporary artistry and inclusivity.
