A team of artists, medievalists, theologians, biblical scholars, and art historians headed up by Donald Jackson “brought together the ancient techniques of calligraphy and illumination with an ecumenical Christian approach to the Bible rooted in Benedictine spirituality” to produce an illuminated, hand-written Bible (New Revised Standard Version).  Such an undertaking has not been made in centuries.

Six scribes have been at work writing in a modern calligraphic script using hand-cut quills on calfskin vellum.  Each page is 3’ tall and 2’ wide.  Work began in 2000.  The final volume of seven volumes (includes the Pauline and catholic epistles and Revelation) was just recently completed on May 9, 2011.  The final product is ~1150 pages, contains 775,000 words, and weighs 165 pounds.  The project cost about 8 million dollars.  You can get a facsimile for the small sum of $140,000! Put that on your Christmas wishlist!

Here is another picture of the Bible.  More are available at www.saintjohnsbible.org/. You can also view videos on the making of the Bible at www.youtube.com/user/SaintJohnsBible.