U.S. Monks Create a Handwritten Bible for the New Millennium
June 3, 1999 - 0:0
NEW YORK -- A U.S. abbey has commissioned the first hand- written, illuminated bible since the invention of the printing press 500 years ago. The project aims to reflect contemporary culture on the eve of the new millennium. The Saint John's bible will be copied by hand by scribes on finest vellum - calf's leather - at the benedictine St. John's Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota. It will comprise 73 books in seven volumes, to be completed by the year 2004. More than 1,100 pages will be inscribed in the same way that medieval monks did it - using quills, natural inks and gold leaf, silver and copper.
The project was the brainchild of English calligrapher Donald Jackson, who has even devised a special script for the Saint John's Bible. Jackson is scribe to Queen Elizabeth II of England in the crown offices of the House of Lords, where he calligraphs official state documents. "You have to be very careful when it comes to your own wishes. They may become a reality," said Jackson when the first page of the new bible was unveiled in New York recently.
Jackson for years nurtured the idea of creating a state-of-the-art handwritten bible for the new millennium. He believes the 20th century lacks a unique bible to reflect the culture of its time. Jackson drew up an illustration plan for the new bible in co- operation with academics at the St. John's Abbey and University. The illustrations will include references to the significance of women in early Christian communities, as well as the latest scientific developments such as space travel and genetic technology.
The text will be in the English language in the new revised standard version, which is widely used by Catholic and Protestant churches. Abbot Timothy Kelly, the project's co-ordinator, said: "We do not want to produce a medieval bible. We want to revive the word of God for the next 500 years." Jackson uses ink made from natural substances such as eggs, fish, sugar and glue.
The proportions and layout of the pages have been planned with the help of computers. The project is likely to cost three million U.S. dollars until its completion in 2004. The abbey has already raised one third of this sum through private donations. "Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Donald Jackson - doesn't sound very harmonious to me," Jackson joked. He said he is rather overwhelmed by the expectations tied to this enormous project and the sheer size of the task ahead.
"I can only do it if I see myself as an instrument, uniting the ideas of scientists and artists throughout the world." (DPA)
The project was the brainchild of English calligrapher Donald Jackson, who has even devised a special script for the Saint John's Bible. Jackson is scribe to Queen Elizabeth II of England in the crown offices of the House of Lords, where he calligraphs official state documents. "You have to be very careful when it comes to your own wishes. They may become a reality," said Jackson when the first page of the new bible was unveiled in New York recently.
Jackson for years nurtured the idea of creating a state-of-the-art handwritten bible for the new millennium. He believes the 20th century lacks a unique bible to reflect the culture of its time. Jackson drew up an illustration plan for the new bible in co- operation with academics at the St. John's Abbey and University. The illustrations will include references to the significance of women in early Christian communities, as well as the latest scientific developments such as space travel and genetic technology.
The text will be in the English language in the new revised standard version, which is widely used by Catholic and Protestant churches. Abbot Timothy Kelly, the project's co-ordinator, said: "We do not want to produce a medieval bible. We want to revive the word of God for the next 500 years." Jackson uses ink made from natural substances such as eggs, fish, sugar and glue.
The proportions and layout of the pages have been planned with the help of computers. The project is likely to cost three million U.S. dollars until its completion in 2004. The abbey has already raised one third of this sum through private donations. "Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Donald Jackson - doesn't sound very harmonious to me," Jackson joked. He said he is rather overwhelmed by the expectations tied to this enormous project and the sheer size of the task ahead.
"I can only do it if I see myself as an instrument, uniting the ideas of scientists and artists throughout the world." (DPA)