Anton F. Attard, ctoria
St Ursula - the patron saint of Gozo
George Francis Vella, secretary of The Historical Cultural Committee of St George's Basilica (April 16), failed to provide a shred of proof regarding the patronage of St George.
Contrary to what he states, the cult of St George could not have been introduced in Gozo by the Byzantines c. AD 533 and this for the simple reason that there was no cult of St George among the Byzantines at that time. The name of St George of Lydda is first documented around 530 and it was centuries before his cult was diffused in the Byzantine world.
The cult of St George was probably introduced locally by the Aragonese after 1282; there is no proof that it existed in Malta before their rule.
The cult of St Ursula was introduced in Gozo by Eugenio Ramirez Maldonado, Governor of Gozo between 1610 and 1612. The reports drawn by bishops during pastoral visits after that year amply prove the diffusion of the cult in Gozo and the great devotion to the saint; something that, alas, cannot be said about St George.
The designation of Saint Ursula as patron saint of Gozo by the Diocesan Synod of 1620 was carried out according to established ecclesiastical law, eventually codified in Canon 1278 of the old Canon Codex. The Synodal decrees, including the declaration of St Ursula as patron saint, were eventually endorsed by the Pope.
Mr Vella's presumption of a conspiracy by the local ecclesiastical authorities against St George of Gozo at the Synod of 1620 needs no comment.
In writing "whatever one may or may not believe about her (St Ursula)", Mr Vella wants to sow doubt about the saint's existence. It is thus very probable, that by his same yardstick, he also has doubts about "whatever one may or may not believe about St George".
For he should know that archaeological and hagiographical evidence related to the burial place of St Ursula in Cologne outweigh by far those related to the burial place of St George at Lydda (Lod/Ludd).
Incidentally, may I ask whether Mr Vella's Historical and Cultural Committee is the same one persistently using the false titles of Proto-Paro``a and Ar`i-Matri`i for St George's Basilica and fervently disseminating through the media recycled pseudo-historical material without any shame or remorse?
If that is so, both he and the committee he represents are obviously free to continue wallowing in a plethora of platitudes, conceit and wishful thinking.
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ANTONIO KAYASSO
Apr 22nd 2009, 07:57
@ Mr. L. Galea.
I cited only one respected reference that St. George is in fact the Patron Saint of Gozo. There are hundreds of other references including the local church authorities which mark the feast of St. George including the words Patron Saint of Gozo.
Mr. Galea its better if we dont try to ridicule Gozo's Patron Saint and Gozo's history.
George Gauci
Apr 21st 2009, 14:18
[edit] Malta
The George Cross appears on the flag of Malta.Saint George is also one of the patron saints of the Mediterranean islands of Malta and Gozo. In a battle[citation needed] between the Maltese and the Moors, Saint George was alleged to have been seen with Saint Paul and Saint Agata, protecting the Maltese. Two parishes are dedicated to Saint George in Malta and Gozo, the Parish of Qormi, Malta and the Parish of Victoria, Gozo. Besides being the patron of Victoria where a St. George's Basilica, is dedicated to him, St George is the PATRON of the island Gozo.
The George Cross was awarded to the entire island of Malta for their courage and endurance during World War II. Since that time, the George Cross has appeared on the Flag of Malta.
MR. ATTARD, NO MATTER WHAT YOU SAY, ST. GEORGE IS IN THE HEART OF ALL MALTESE AND GOZITANS, AND HE WILL REMAIN THE PATRON SAINT OF GOZO.
B'SAN GORG AHNA KBURIN, FUQ IL-BANDIERA TAL-MALTIN
LGalea
Apr 21st 2009, 13:08
ANTONIO KAYASSO
Can you illuminate us since when wikipaedia has become an authority?
A reference yes, but an authority?
You don't happen to have seen St George's dragon at Rabat have you?
ANTONIO KAYASSO
Apr 21st 2009, 10:31
WIKIPEDIA Main article: Diocese of Gozo
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Gozo (in Latin Goulos-Gaudisiensis), comprises the Island of Gozo in the Mediterranean Sea (seventeen miles west of the harbour of Valletta, Malta) and islet of Comino. On a central plateau the Citadel fortifications contain the cathedral church and several public buildings. To the south of the castle lies the island's main town whose origins go back to prehistoric times. The town contains several public buildings the most important of which is St George's basilica. This magnificent basilica lies on the site where the earliest evidence of Christianity was discovered.
The feast dedicated to St. Mary, devoted in its Cathedral situated in the centre of the Citadel dominating the whole island and the another one dedicated to St. George, the patron saint of Gozo celebrated in St. George's Basilica in the heart of Victoria.
MR. ATTARD THIS IS AN EXCERPT FROM ONE OF THE MOST RESPECTED SITES:THE WIKIPEDIA.
IT SPEAKS LOUDER THAN YOU DO, SAINT GEORGE WAS, IS, AND REMAINS THE PATRON SAINT OF GOZO.