CHARLOTTE — The story behind The St. John’s Bible, which Smithsonian Magazine called “one of the extraordinary undertakings of our time,” was presented Sept. 21 at St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte.
The St. John’s Bible is the first hand-calligraphed, hand-illuminated Bible to have been commissioned in 500 years. Composed of seven hand-calligraphed volumes, it has 1,150 pages featuring 160 illuminations.
One of the volumes from the Bible, the Book of the Gospels, was displayed for visitors to get an up-close look courtesy of David Allaway, director of the St. John’s Bible Heritage Program.
Commissioned by the Benedictine monks of St. John’s Abbey in Minnesota as a celebration of the new millennium, the work was executed by and under the direction of Donald Jackson, the chief scribe to Queen Elizabeth II. This 21st century manuscript combines the use of medieval methods and materials with modern technology.
The St. John’s Bible has been praised by Popes Francis and Benedict, displayed in the Library of Congress and featured on “The Today Show.” Scholars have compared the scope of the work to that of the Sistine Chapel. More information about The St. John’s Bible is online at www.saintjohnsbible.org.
— Brandon Berryhill | Catholic News Herald
WAXHAW — The Maronite Mission of Charlotte, an Eastern Rite Catholic Church, is now offering weekly Masses on Sundays at 12:30 p.m. at St. Matthew South Campus, 4116 Waxhaw-Marvin Road in Waxhaw.
The mission's pastor is Father Elie Mikhael, who can be reached at 704-543-7677, ext. 1043, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..