Victoria today celebrates the feast of St George.

This year marks the 175th anniversary of the first titular statue of the saint, an artistic masterpiece treasured at St George’s basilica.

Gozo Bishop Mario Grech, accompanied by the basilica chapter and clergy, will lead a procession from the Episcopal Palace in Republic Street to the basilica at 8am.

Pontifical High Mass will start at 8.30am.

Mass in D Princeps Martyrum (1975) by Maestro di Cappella Joseph Vella will be performed with the participation of soprano Miriam Cauchi, tenor Antonino Interisano, baritone Dario Russo and the Laudate Pueri Choir and orchestra, under the direction of Mro Vella.

Marches by the St George’s Band of Qormi and St Margaret’s Band of Sannat will be held at 11am.

Cathedral parish archpriest Ġużeppi Attard will celebrate Mass at 5pm.

Archbishop Emeritus of Monreale, Sicily, Salvatore Di Cristina, will lead pontifical vespers at 6pm, with the participation of soloists and the Laudate Pueri Choir and orchestra, under the direction of Mro Vella.

This will be followed at 7pm by a procession with the statue of St George and the relic of St George’s arm that has been brought over from Venice, accompanied by La Stella Philharmonic Band.

The Mnarja Band under the direction of Mro Joseph Grech will give a concert in front of the parish church.

The triumphal return of the statue of St George to the basilica will take place at 10pm, followed by the performance of the popular antiphon Beatus Georgius and Eucharistic benediction by archpriest Paul Cardona.