Durham congregation given Gospels history lesson

Date: 2003-05-17, Publication: The Journal

A packed congregation in Durham Cathedral was yesterday given a history lesson by the woman entrusted with caring for the 1,300-year-old Lindisfarne Gospels.

Dr Michelle Brown, Curator of Illuminated Manuscripts at the British Library, gave the address at a service to celebrate the arrival of a £13,000 facsimile of the Gospels, bequeathed to the cathedral by the Library.

The Lindisfarne Gospels were created by Eadfrith, the Bishop of Lindisfarne from 698-721 in honour of St Cuthbert, and the facsimile will be displayed close to his shrine in the cathedral.

Dr Brown compared St Cuthbert, the patron saint of Northumbria, to modern-day icons Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela and Mother Theresa.

She explained: "Late in the Seventh Century St Cuthbert of Lindisfarne had to tread carefully with a king who was potentially one of the most ruthless and bloodiest despots of his day, but nominally a Christian ruler.

"St Cuthbert was a charismatic preacher who taught by example, living out his message; a saint by popular acclaim who got his hands dirty ministering in the field; a risk taker sustained by his faith.

"He was politically astute, accepting the challenges of confronting politics and politicians face on, building up the authority of the Church to enable it to have a voice in society. We still create heroes who symbolise beliefs and commitment - Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Mother Theresa. Cuthbert stood for something similar, providing aid, hope and working for social justice, but he understood the dangers of basing society upon materialism."

The facsimile was ceremonially handed over to the Dean of Durham, the Rt Rev Michael Sadgrove, by Lord Eatwell, chairman of the British Library.

The Dean said the Gospels were "not only for the North, they are for everybody, a symbol of British Christianity". The replicas can be viewed at special showings today between 10am and 4pm and tomorrow from 12.40pm to 4pm.

Back to Articles