No need to pay, line up or travel overseas to see this artifact.
All Saints Anglican Church recently received an exact replica of the Book of Kells, which will be on permanent display starting Sunday, Nov. 30.
The original Book of Kells is kept at Trinity College in Dublin, where it costs 25 Euros to see it.
It is a significant artifact in history of medieval (especially Celtic), religion and art.
The origins of the book are unclear. It is traditionally attributed to Saint Columba of Iona (521-597) but was probably written in around 800AD.
It was likely brought to Kells in 878AD by the Abbot of Iona, in order to preserve it from Viking raiders.
It was famously stolen in about 1006AD and found two months later buried “under a sod” near the church, stripped of its gold and silver case.
With church at Kells being destroyed in 1641, the book found its way to Trinity College in Dublin in 1661.
Scholars believe that the Book of Kells was intended for daily use or for study, but for display and ceremonial use.
The Book of Kells is primarily a piece of artwork, the text is secondary to illustrations, evidenced by uncorrected mistakes in the text and missing features.
The images, by contrast, are exquisitely intricate and designed for contemplation. Some images are also quite whimsical, such as cats chasing rodents running away with communion wafers.
In 1990, a set of 1,480 numbered facsimiles were created, each of which has an exact copy, including uneven edges, holes in the parchment, faded inks and so on.
Until now, the nearest replica has been on display at the UBC library in Vancouver.
The replica will be on permanent display in the foyer at All Saints.
Members of the public are welcome to join the church for the dedication ceremony of the Kells display at 11:30 a.m. following the regular service, and to stay for tea and coffee.
The manuscript will be kept under glass for security and preservation purposes.
Upon request, ressearchers may gain access to the manuscript by appointment.