The feast of St George will be celebrated in Victoria today.
Gozo Bishop Mario Grech, accompanied by the chapter and clergy of St George’s basilica, will lead a procession from the Episcopal Palace in Republic Street to the basilica at 8am. Pontifical High Mass starts at 8.30am.
Mass in D Princeps Martyrum, composed by Maestro di Cappella Joseph Vella, will be performed with the participation of soprano Miriam Cauchi, tenor Antonino Interisano, baritone Jaki Jurgec and the Laudate Pueri choir and orchestra, under Vella’s direction.
Marches by the St George’s Band of Qormi and St Michael’s Band of Żabbar will be held at 11am.
Cathedral parish archpriest Ġużeppi Attard will say Mass at 5pm.
Gozo diocese vicar general Tarcisju Camilleri will lead solemn vespers at 6pm, with the participation of soloists and the Laudate Pueri choir and orchestra.
This will be followed at 7pm by a procession with the titular statue of St George, accompanied by La Stella Philharmonic Band. This year marks the 176th anniversary of the statue, made in 1839 by Pietru Pawl Azzopardi.
Mnarja Band, under the direction of Joseph Grech, will give a concert in front of the parish church.
The triumphal return of the statue to the basilica will take place at 10pm, followed by the performance of the antiphon Beatus Georgius and eucharistic benediction by archpriest Paul Cardona.