Giant, Handwritten, Hand-Illuminated Bible Sparks Wonder Among Faithful

Fifteen years in the making, a striking, handwritten, hand-illuminated Saint John's Bible -- the first commissioned since the advent of the printing press more than 500 years ago -- will be on display for the very first time in Northern California's Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, according to the Sacramento Bee.

The bible will be the focus of a special ecumenical worship service in observance of Christian Unity Week, which concludes Wednesday. Astonishingly, the bible on display at the Cathedral is one of 299 copies of the handwritten bible.

"This Bible indicates the relevance of God's word today and the beauty of it," said the Rev. Michael Kiernan, rector of the Cathedral in downtown Sacramento. "This is the highlight of Christian unity week, it brings faiths together around the word of God."

The handwritten Bible, according to church leaders, is all the more profound given that it was created in the digital age.

Rev. Rick Cole of Capital Christian Center, slated to read scripture and talk about the Saint John's Bible during the service, stated:

"I really appreciate the value of the work ethic involved, the hours invested in making art, especially something with a spiritual foundation. It's a special gift that shouldn't be ruled out because of technology."