The main highlights of the special April-May celebrations in honour of St George, Patron Saint of Gozo, marking the 175th anniversary of the titular statue sculpted in 1839 by Pietru Pawl Azzopardi, have been announced by St George’s Basilica.

The programme of events, spread on twelve days, kicks off on April the 23rd, St George’s Day, though the liturgical feast day of the saint, which this years falls in the Octave of Easter, has been transferred to Monday, the 28th, which is the first day outside the eight-day mandatory period following Easter Sunday.

A Solemn Vigil of the Martyrdom, led by H.L. Mgr Joseph Mercieca, Archbishop Emeritus of Malta, will be held on Sunday the 27th, at 7.30pm, at Independence Square.

Another event planned by the Basilica will be the Morning Procession with the Statue of St George, on Sunday, the 4th of May, at 10.00am, echoing the 2003 centenary celebrations and, moreover, the many years in the past when the titular procession was held at a much earlier hour than it is today

A special hand stamp is being issued by MaltaPost on the 23rd of April, and also to mark the occasion the Basilica of St George is issuing a commemorative postcard and stamp, which can be purchased from the St George’s Basilica parish office, Charity Street, Victoria, Gozo.

The full progamme of celebrations is available to download here in Maltese.

For more information please call on 79851118 or send an email to info@sangorg.org.

Permalink: Celebrations for 175th anniversary of the titular statue of St George