Rome relic for St George's feast

The skull of St George, which has been venerated since the seventh century, is being brought over from the Velabro basilica in Rome, for this week's celebrations of the feast of St George in Victoria.

A plenary indulgence has been granted by Pope John Paul II to the faithful who take part in some liturgical celebration in honour of St George at the basilica or pray to him during the days it will remain here (Tuesday to Sunday).

The relic will arrive in Gozo on Tuesday, and will be carried in a solemn translation by the Bishop of Gozo and the chapter and clergy of St George's Basilica, accompanied by the La Stella Band, starting at 6.15 p.m.

The archpriest of St George's, Mgr Dr Joseph Farrugia, will deliver an address of welcome at 6.45 p.m. This will be followed by the translation of the relic by Bishop Cauchi, accompanied by the chapter and the faithful. The Victoria Scout Group will provide a guard of honour.

An ecumenical vigil led by Bishop Cauchi, accompanied by Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira and Great Britain, who will be representing His Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, and the Bishop of Gibraltar, Geoffrey Rowell, representing the Anglican Communion, starts at 7 p.m. The collegiate chapter and clergy of St George's basilica and members of religious orders and the laity will take part.

The week-long festivities, leading up to Sunday, will feature not only the La Stella Band, but also other Gozitans bands, among them St Mary, St Margaret, Precursor and St Joseph. There will be fireworks displays every evening.

On Saturday at 9.30 a.m. the La Stella Band will march from the band club in Republic Street to St George's Square to welcome Archbishop Joseph Mercieca.

Archbishop Merieca will lead a concelebrated Pontifical High Mass at 10 a.m. at St George's basilica, and Archpriest Emeritus Mgr Salv Borg will deliver the panegyric.

Afterwards, Dolindo Cassar, president of the La Stella Band Club, which organises the external festivities, will make an address.

The La Stella Band will play marches from St George's Square to its band club in Republic Street, where the President of the Republic, Professor Guido de Marco, will meet Church and State personalities.

The traditional horse and donkey races in Republic Street will be held at 1 p.m.

At 6.30 p.m. Bishop Cauchi will preside over the solemn translation of the relic and the first vespers.

At 8 p.m. the King's Own Band of Valletta will give a concert on St George's Square. At 10 the La Stella and King's Own bands will march together in Republic Street. This will be followed by a ground fireworks display on St Francis Square.

The celebrations in honour of St George reach their climax on Sunday, when the relic of the saint, together with the statue of St George, will be carried in procession.

The postal authorities of Malta, the Vatican and Gibraltar have issued special stamps commemorating the 17th centenary of St George's martyrdom. A special phonecard with the image of St George venerated at the Victoria basilica is also being issued in Malta.

Maltapost will open a temporary post office at the St George's parish centre on Sunday afternoon, for the use of a special commemorative hand-stamp. A special postcard has been issued for the occasion to enable collectors to have the special stamp with the postmark.

Those interested in ordering the postcard should call the parish office or Antoine Vassallo on 2155-6377.