THE St John’s Bible is the work of the renowned calligrapher Donald Jackson.

It was commissioned and is owned by the abbey and university of the same name, and St Martin’s in the Field and the Pope possess the only two facsimiles.

Handwritten, using quills on vellum, richly illuminated and illustrated with an abundance of gold leaf, and bound in oak, the Bible is not only a great feat and amazing work of art, it is a masterpiece of the 21st century.

One of the world’s leading calligraphers, from 1998 till its completion in May 2011 Donald Jackson was the artistic

director and principal illuminator of the Saint John’s Bible.

From his scriptorium in Wales, he oversaw scribes, artists and craftsmen who worked with him on the handwriting and illumination of this seven-volume, 1,150-page book.

In 1985, he was decorated by the Queen with the Medal of the Royal Victorian Order.

In 2016 he was awarded a Papal Knighthood by Pope Francis for his contribution to Christian art.

His 30-year retrospective exhibition, Painting With Words, premiered at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in August 1988 and traveled to 13 museums and galleries.

Mr Jackson is at Methodist Church in Broad Street, on Thursday, September 19, at 3.30pm.