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A copy of one volume of the illuminated, handwritten St. John’s Bible has begun a three-month stay in Lexington at Grace Episcopal Church, and the church is encouraging community members to come give it a visit during the months of February, March and April.
The Saint John’s Bible is the first of its kind to be commissioned by a Benedictine abbey in more than 500 years. On its arrival, docents at Grace Episcopal met for training with a representative of Saint John’s Abbey & University in Collegeville, Minn., which is home to the original seven volumes, completed in 2011 after more than 10 years’ work by a team of scribes and artists.
The volume that will be on display and available for groups and individuals to visit during its three-month “season” at Grace Episcopal is Volume VI, which contains the four Gospels of Sts. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and the Acts of the Apostles.
Members of the community, including student and church groups, can schedule visits to spend time with the volume, learn more about its history, and engage in interactive activities including reading from and examining its illuminated pages. Docents will be available to give background information on the project that produced The St. John’s Bible.
The original seven volumes reside at Saint John’s Abbey & University. The abbey in 1998 commissioned the unique work of scripture and sacred art as a gift to the world for the new millennium. A small team of scribes and artists started work in 2000, using traditional materials including vellum, ancient inks, precious metals and quill pens.
Like its six companion volumes, the volume visiting Lexington features the intricate calligraphy, vibrant imagery and powerful embossed illuminations copied from the original.
To date, Volume VI has made a trip to Kendal; been present at the Martin Luther King service at First Baptist Church on Jan. 19; and served the Grace congregation for readings of the Gospel. Like the caretakers of the original at St. John’s Abbey, Grace Episcopal hopes to share this volume with the community.
Docents will be with the St. John’s Bible in the church building on Thursdays, 1 to 6 p.m., for group visits or individual drop-ins. Schools, churches and other interested groups may also schedule a visit at other times by calling (540) 463-4981 or emailing office@gracelexva. org.
