High Commissioner Attends King James Bible Anniversary Service

LONDON — High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK), Anthony Johnson, was the Diplomatic representative at the service celebrating the 400th anniversary of the King James version of the Bible, at Southwark Cathedral in London on July 24.

The Cathedral has a special link with this anniversary, because Bishop Lancelot Andrews, who oversaw the translation of the King James version of the Bible, which was completed in 1611, is buried in the Cathedral.

The celebrations of the 400th anniversary is being held under the theme:  'The Book that Changed the World'.   Throughout this year, many events and projects will be taking place across the UK and around the world to mark the 400 years since the creation of the Bible.

Mr. Johnson read the first lesson from 1 Thessalonians Chapter 5. The second lesson was read by BBC Radio 4 Presenter Rev. Richard Coles;  the third by Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, Simon Hughes, and the fourth lesson by an eight year-old student from the Cathedral School. The readers were asked to choose their scripture passage and explain the selection.

The King James version of the Bible has been credited with assisting the widespread expansion of Christianity after the 17th Century.  It is often referred to as the best-selling book of all time and is regarded as one of the most beautiful and powerful expressions of the English language.