As part of celebrations marking the 170th anniversary of the arrival of Xewkija parish church’s titular statue of St John the Baptist, sculpted by Pietro Paolo Azzopardi, a silver reliquary conserving a bone from the saint’s arm was brought to the parish from Ragusa cathedral, which is also dedicated to the saint. The reliquary, made in 1664, is 52cm high and has a base 18cm in diameter.
After being displayed at Tal-Ħniena chapel, Xewkija, it was taken to the town’s rotunda church, escorted by motorcycles and a delegation from the Sicilian cathedral led by parish priest Girolamo Alessi.
At the rotunda the reliquary was welcomed by archpriest Carmelo Mercieca, other priests, the town’s mayor and councillors and the Precursor Band president and committee members.