The solution to the Christmas crossword, along with the names of the senders of the first three correct solutions opened on 12 January, will be published next week. The winners will each receive a copy of The Book of Kells: Unlocking the enigma by Victoria Whitworth, which has been kindly donated by Head of Zeus.
Across
1 Book some couples therapy (6)
4 First and last characters with materials to define island group (6)
8 Is bright to involve Rector in places of worship (7)
9 Article about manuscript including last of many fake names (7)
11 Pretences of priest sumo wrestling (10)
12 Good university retaining posh minister finally as teacher (4)
13 Monastic leader, priest, drinking port (5)
14 Singer in group — soprano ultimately! (8)
16 Bach originally recomposed scales loudly in part of score? (4,4)
18 Basset hound regularly lost in Birmingham area (5)
20 Sin of loveless minister (4)
21 Inheritance of bed maker we hear (10)
23 Company supports office equipment (7)
24 Pores treated at most with touch of antiseptic (7)
25 Welcomes government guidance being reversed (6)
26 Ordinary man on board (6)
Down
1 Wise man coming up to collect last of myrrh in Surrey town (5)
2 Journey to get crude oil in African capital (7)
3 A learner supports on-line reader in relation to voting (9)
5 Brazen assembly arresting lawyer in Titus (5)
6 Nice man, perhaps, suppressing German apostate (7)
7 Neighbourly sort sat fooling around with airman (9)
10 Vintage Channel Islands class describing X (9)
13 Outspoken organists finally playing grand church music (9)
15 Atheist with limits on preparing cooked food (9)
17 Design worn by Italian pillar dweller (7)
19 Old car maker’s success (7)
21 Elizabeth steals Queen’s hat (5)
22 Excited that man’s breeding sheep (3,2)
Last week’s solution
