St George’s feast to be celebrated in Victoria on Sunday
Saint’s Russian icon to be exhibited on the side altar dedicated to St Lazarus
The feast of St George is being celebrated in Victoria on Sunday. This year marks the 187th anniversary of the first titular statue of the saint, an artistic masterpiece treasured at St George’s basilica.
Masses will be said at 5am, 6, 7, 8.30, 11am, at noon and at 5pm.
Sung prayers by the Collegiate Chapter led by Bishop Teuma will be held at 8am.
Bishop Teuma will lead a concelebrated Mass, 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 at 8.30am.
Bishop Teuma will deliver the homily.
The Mass in D in honour of St George Princeps Martyrum (1975) by Prof. Joseph Vella will be executed, with the participation of soprano Miriam Cauchi, tenor Antonino Interisano, baritone Louis Andrew Cassar and the Laudate Pueri Choir and orchestra, directed by Can George J. Frendo, maestro di cappella and Prof. Maria Frendo.
President Miriam Spiteri Debono will be the guest of honour.
Marches by the St George’s Band of Qormi and Sant’Elena Band of Birkirkara will be held at 11.30am.
Solemn vespers, led by Archpriest Mgr Joseph Curmi, will be sung at 6pm.
The Laudate Pueri choir will take part.
At 7pm, a procession with the statue of St George will leave the basilica, accompanied by La Stella Philharmonic Band.
At 8.15pm, the Victory Band of Xagħra will perform a band march from Republic Street to Independence Square. The band, directed by Mro Marvin Grech, will later give a concert at Independence Square.
At 8.30pm, the Mnarja Band will perform a band march from Republic Street 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 Mgr Curmi.
Solemn vigil Mass will be celebrated on Saturday at 5pm. The translation of the relic will take place from St James church to the basilica at 6.15pm, followed by solemn pontifical vespers led by Mgr Teuma. Vespri per la Solennità di San Giorgio Martire (1900) for soloists, quattro voci pari and orchestra by Mgr Giuseppe Farrugia will be executed.
Holy Eucharist benediction will be held at 7.45pm by Mgr Farrugia.
The King’s Own Band, under the direction of Mro John Galea, will execute a musical programme at St George’s Square at 8pm. The La Stella Band will also perform at 9.30pm, with the participation of La Stella Society choir and the Piccole Stelle choir under the direction of Sylvana Attard.
At 10pm, a unique and grand march will take place with the participation of the La Stella and King’s Own bands, during which they will perform together as a massed band along Republic Street. A spectacular fireworks display synchronised with music will take place along Republic Street at midnight.
As is customary, President Miriam Spiteri Debono is lending a Russian icon of St George, kept at the Palace in San Anton, to be exhibited at the basilica during the feast days. The traditional custom was initiated by former president Guido de Marco.
During this festive week the icon is exhibited on the side altar dedicated to St Lazarus – uniquely for these islands.
The feast functions will be broadcast on Leħen il-Belt Victoria (104.00FM MHz Stereo), and live streamed on www.facebook.com/stgeorge.org.mt, www.youtube.com/stgeorgesbasilica and www.stgeorge.org.mt.