Dozens of Bible Societies around the world celebrated its 200th anniversary of the founding of the British and Foreign Bible Society, the original Bible Society established for the purposes of translating, publishing and distributing the Scriptures.

Processions, speeches, ceremony, dance, dramatised readings – Bible Society’s bicentenary celebration was a day to remember. Over 2,000 people crowded into St Paul’s Cathedral to take part in this occasion.

The service was written by West End playwright Justin Butcher, and was designed to reflect the Bible as a living story for all cultures. Dramatised readings and colourful dance were used to depict the stories of the Tower of Babel, the Incarnation and the Day of Pentecost. Each story was accompanied by the improvisation of composer Harry Napier on the cello and other instruments, bringing alive the service’s theme of Translation.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams gave the Address and the service was followed by a repception at guildhall.

Bible Society teams work in more than 200 countries distributing entire Bibles, New Testaments as well as Scripture Portions and Selections.

The Bible are now available in more than 2,200 languages, and societies around the world distribute more than 600 million copies annually.