On March 25, 2026, Archbishop Sarah Mullally will be installed as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, becoming the first woman to hold the position. The installation service will feature a historic change: for the first time since 1945, a modern Bible—The Saint John's Bible Heritage Edition—will be used for the swearing-in oath, replacing the fragile 6th-century Augustine Gospels that have been used for nearly 60 years.
The Augustine Gospels, housed at Corpus Christi College in Cambridge, are considered too fragile to move, prompting Canterbury Cathedral to select The Saint John's Bible Heritage Edition for this occasion. Described as a Bible "for the 21st century," The Saint John's Bible 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 Mullally 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 crafted by retired physician and cathedral stitcher Alyson Osterloh, using textiles from 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 is now available for public viewing at the Lambeth Palace Library. The original manuscript of The Saint John's Bible resides at the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library on the Saint John's University campus. More information about The Saint John's Bible can be found at https://saintjohnsbible.org.
The Church of England will livestream the service on March 25, 2026 at 10:30 am ET. This installation marks a significant moment for the Anglican Communion, as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury takes office using a Bible that itself represents a modern fusion of art and faith.
