Next Sunday, the 4th of January, the Three Magi will arrive in Bethlehem f’Ghajnsielem for the traditional Adoration of the Magi, which will close the Nativity Village.

Their voyage to Gozo will start from Cologne in Germany, where they will be have a symbolic send off from Cologne Cathedral, by the Archbishop of Cologne Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki,

The Magi are currently taking part in the commemoration of the 850th anniversary since the relics of the three Magi Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar arrived in the City.

The ‘relics of the Magi’ were originally situated at Constantinople, but brought to Milan by Eustorgius I, the City’s Bishop, to whom they were entrusted by Emperor Constant in 344.

The relics of the Magi were taken from Milan by Holy Roman Emperor Fredrick Barbarossa and given to the Archbishop of Cologne, Rainald of Dassel eight centuries later, in 1164. The Three Magi have since attracted a constant stream of pilgrims to Cologne.

The Minister for Gozo Dr Anton Refalo said today, that the celebrations for the arrival of the Magi next Sunday, will be another opportunity for the promotion of Gozo, this time in Germany.

The Minister congratulated the Councils and everyone else involved who collaborated to make this unique attraction such a success.

This visit by the Magi to Gozo, is made possible through the collaboration of the Ministry for Gozo, the Christmas in Gozo Committee, the Local Councils of Ghajnsielem and Mellieha with the support of the MTA. The poster was designed by Daniel Zerafa.

The Mellieha Local Council made the necessary contacts in Germany thanks to the twinning between the Councils of Mellieha and Adenau dating back to January 1996.

Sunday 4th 2015: 2.00pm – 8.00pm Adoration of the Magi.

Permalink: The Three Magi arrive in Bethlehem f’Ghajnsielem next Sunday