There are still number of misconceptions regarding St Paul and St Publius. Frans Said seeks to settle once and for all some of the most important controversies surrounding these two important saints in Malta’s history and traditions.

The date of St Paul’s shipwreck

Quoting one word out of context, some have tried to say that the shipwreck occurred around November. This is due to the fact that St Luke states that “the fast” had been over. St Luke refers to the last fast in the Jewish year, that of 10 Tevet. That fast commemorates the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylonia. It is important to consider that this year (2015) 10 Tevet fell on January 1, while in 2017 it will fall on January 8, which would fall in exactly with a February shipwreck.

Apart from this we have a definite date when St Paul left Malta. First of all there is absolutely no doubt that St Paul came to Malta. Many keep falling at the same hurdle, namely by only referring to the Acts of the Apostles.

There are other references that indicate clearly St Paul’s stay in Malta. The most important is the Acts of Peter and Paul. The text contains the story of Paul’s journey from the islands of Gaudomeleta (Gozo and Malta) to Rome.

There is also a clear indication of the date, as it is stated that Paul sailed from Malta on May 20 and arrived in Syracuse during the last week of that month.

St Paul spent three months in Malta. Therefore, working backwards, the shipwreck must have happened around mid-February.

The location of the shipwreck

The prevalent weather in February is the gregale. Those who have any experience of St Paul’s Bay during a northeast storm will appreciate the ferocity of the sea. On regular occasions storms cause damage to the area known as l-Għażżenin and around the watch tower. There are many photos of such storms.

Thus I cannot imagine that the shipwreck occurred on Selmun Islands. There is a distance of over a mile from the nearest land, and in a strong storm with cross-currents it would have been utterly impossible, even for strong swimmers, to reach the land safely.

Thus the logical place is the submerged reef at the end of four mini-islands in l-Għażżenin bay. In the past, the inner part of l-Għażżenin bay was a sandy beach, which fits in exactly with what is written.

The logical place [forthe shipwreck] is the submerged reef at the end of four mini-islands in l-Għażżenin bay

Many years ago, the shipwreck chapel had originally been built on the site currently occupied by the watch tower. It was Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt who, for strategic reasons moved the chapel to its present location.

If, for argument’s sake, the shipwreck had occurred in November, the three-month period would have been over in February. Even the most elementary logic would show that not even a mad captain would dare to sail from Malta during that month, well known for its brutal and dangerous storms.

While a lot was written about the ‘fast’, no one gave any explanation about the period when sailing was not recommended in the Mediterranean. The Acts only state the beginning of the period but ignore its duration. Up to May, strong winds are a constant feature. From mid-May onwards, the prevalent wind will be southerly, thus ideal to reach Sicily, the place where St Paul landed after leaving Malta.

St Publius of Malta and Athens

This is another sore point of contention. Someone had unearthed a certain Elio Publio Giulio. It is true that there was a bishop by that name, but that person had nothing to do with Athens. In fact he was bishop of Deulto and Sozopoli, cities on the Black Sea.

Bishop Elio Publio Julius had taken active part in the Council of Ephesus (431). Therefore he could not have been the second bishop of Athens. Above all, Bishop Elio died a natural death and was not one of the early martyrs of Christianity. He is not included in any martyrology and cannot be the saint as quoted by Eusebius, Bede and a number of other historians.

In the basilica of Pope Clement in Rome there is a document which includes details of martyrs in the early Christian era. One particular reference states: “January 21, S. Publius, in memory of S. Publius, Prince of the Islands of Malta and the second bishop of Athens, who testified for Christ by his martyrdom.” According to many scholars, the manuscript is the work of Clement of Alexandria (who must not be confused with Clement the Pope).

Of great importance is the fact that Clement of Alexandria, born in Athens, died in AD215 and therefore could not have written about the bishop Elio who lived 200 years later.

There are various other documents, including a famous tablet in the National Museum of Florence, all of which clearly state that St Publius of Malta and of Athens is the same person.

Therefore, Publius mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles is also the second bishop of Athens. This was confirmed by the great scholar the venerable Bede, a doctor of Christianity and recognised by all Christian churches.

Our duty to correct past mistakes

I want to give the benefit of doubt to those who in the past spread wrong and misleading information. They might have had the best intentions but now we know better, and the mistaken misconceptions must be laid to rest once and for all. If there had been some scope for spite and hatred, then it is time to clarify and ascertain the truth. Then, and only then, will anyone who had wanted to cause a rift, be able to rest in peace.

It is for us, the present generation, to pray for and help the souls responsible for any erroneous belief that took root. I call for a genuine effort to discuss and solve these points. Are we mature enough to forget the past and ignore false information? The Malta and Gozo dioceses can ask the Holy See to appoint an independent and unbiased scholar to study and evaluate the arguments for and against certain theories.

Marking the 19th century of St Publius’s martyrdom

It is time to work in earnest and prepare for the 19th century since the martyrdom of Publius when he was thrown to the lions. This special event will occur in 2018.

One might get the impression that in the Maltese islands we have a special Christianity. In the various parishes, and even within the same parish, there are many opposing ‘sects’ that use the saints in heaven to instil hatred and spite. When will we learn that Jesus preached unity, peace and love?

I make aplea to stop this silly tradition and for all the Maltese to unite. What better occasion is there than the 19th century since the martyrdom of one of our patron saints?

How can these islands ignore such an important and special centenary?

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