The feast of St George will be celebrated in Victoria today. This year marks the 177th anniversary of the first titular statue of the saint, an artistic masterpiece treasured at St George’s basilica.

At 8.30am, Gozo Bishop Mario Grech will preside a pontifical High Mass at the basilica, assisted by a delegation of the cathedral chapter, the collegiate chapter, the clergy of the urban basilica and members of the secular and religious clergy. Mgr Joseph Gauci will deliver the homily.

Mass in D Princeps Martyrum (1976) by Maestro di Cappella Joseph Vella will be performed with the participation of soprano Miriam Cauchi, tenor Antonino Interisano, baritone Louis Andrew Cassar and the Laudate Pueri Choir and orchestra, directed by Mro Vella.

Marches by the St George’s Band of Qormi and Sant’ Elena Band of Birkirkara will be held at 11am.

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

At 6pm, pontifical vespers will be led by Mgr Tarċisju Camilleri, vicar general of the Gozo diocese, with the participation of soloists and the Laudate Pueri Choir and orchestra.

At 7pm, a procession with the statue of St George will leave the basilica, accompanied by La Stella Philharmonic Band.

At 7.30pm, La Valette Band of Valletta will perform a band march from Republic Street to Independence Square, Victoria. The band, directed by Mro Dominic Darmanin, will later give a concert in front of the parish church.

At 8.15pm, Mnarja Band will perform a band march from St Francis Square to St George’s Square, Victoria. The band, directed by Mro Joseph Grech, will later give a concert at St George’s Square.

The procession will return to the basilica at 10.30pm, followed by the performance of the Beatus Georgius and a Eucharistic benediction by archpriest Paul Cardona.

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