The Maġi will return from Cologne, Germany, today after participating in a commemoration marking the 850th anniversary since the relics of the three wise men, Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar, were given to the city. The Maġi, who left Gozo last Thursday, will visit Bethlehem f’Ghajnsielem for the ‘Adoration of Baby Jesus’.
The Maġi had a symbolic send off from Cologne cathedral by Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki.
The relics of the Magi were originally in Constantinople, but brought to Milan in 344.
Holy Roman Emperor Fredrick Barbarossa gave the relics to Archbishop of Cologne Rainald of Dassel in 1164.
The Maġi visit was made possible through the collaboration of the Gozo Ministry, the Christmas in Gozo Committee, the Għajnsielem and Mellieħa councils with the cooperation of the Malta Tourism Authority.
The Mellieħa council made the necessary contacts in Germany thanks to the twinning agreement that exists between the Mellieħa and Adenau councils.