A Roman icon inspired by the upcoming Jubilee of Mercy proclaimed by Pope Francis has been donated to Il-Ħaġar Heart of Gozo Museum, Victoria.
The icon, which depicts Christ Pantocrator – Christ as ruler of the world – was made using egg tempera and pure gold.
It features the misericordiae vultus, the merciful face of God revealed in Jesus, who appears with his right hand in Trinitarian blessing and with his left hand holding the Latin script: “Non veni vocare iustos sed peccatores in paenitentiam” (I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance) (Luke 5,32).
The icon was presented to museum curator Joseph Farrugia by Franco Mennini, a member of the Schola Polifonica Romana, which was performing in the penultimate concert of the Victoria International Arts Festival.
The initiative was that of the choir’s musical director and long-time friend of St George’s basilica, Roberto Colavalle.