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Religious Influences
Thousands of years ago, an extraordinarily
religious and at the same time ingenious inhabitant constructed
abodes of massive stones and planned spaces of prayer which
still taunt the fully technologically-minded modern archeologist
in search of answers. Positioned on high areas overlooking the
azure waters and facing the rising sun, the Neolithic temples
witness the inhabitants' deep spiritual relationship with the
Infinite.
Many years later, with the same unchanged feelings but with
an urge to discover Truth, they opened their hearts to a shipwrecked
apostle on his way to the capital of the Empire. Paul's sojourn
on the island inaugurated a new criterion with which to measure,
judge and construct reality. The new religion of the Crucified
God preached by Paul and embraced by Publius, the Roman governor,
is openly practiced and the belief of afterlife continues and
is evidenced in the stunning catacombs of Rabat. The original
and unique elements that decorate these places of the dead reveal
not only the birth of an insular community but also its catholic
character.
After the Roman Empire other rulers came and imposed their laws
but could not impose their creeds because the Maltese held steadfastly
to the faith of Paul. Each year, every parish church with their
magnificent architecture, burst with illuminated street decorations,
fireworks and tuneful bands. The baroque parish 'festas' have
a recipe which makes for a unique and unforgettable Maltese
element in a world gloomed by globalization.
The island's most important church is the Cathedral at Mdina,
the old capital of Malta. According to a popular tradition the
Cathedral is built on the site of the palace of Publius, who
welcomed Paul around 60 AD. Originally, the Cathedral was dedicated
to the Virgin Mary, but when it was rebuilt, the church was
dedicated to St. Paul. The Cathedral was however almost totally
destroyed by an earthquake in 1693. It was immediately rebuilt.
Its consecration followed on 18 October 1702.
There is also St. John's Co-Cathedral, formerly the Conventual
Church of the Order of St. John in Valletta, built between 1571
and 1576 by the Maltese architect Gerolamo Cassar. The vault
of the church was decorated by Mattia Preti, known as "Il
Calabrese", with paintings showing episodes from the life
of St. John the Baptist. Among other artistic treasures, the
church has 15 large seventeenth-century Flemish tapestries.
together with many richly-embroidered church vestments and church
books with hand-painted letterings, These may be admired in
the Museum annexed to the Co-Cathedral. An oratory was added
to St. John’s complex in 1603. It served as a place of
private devotion. The great work of art, which dominates the
Oratory, is Caravaggio's "Beheading of St. John".
There are places connected with St. Paul in tradition and popular
which include St. Paul's Grotto in Rabat, Malta, which is considered
to be the foundation stone of the Church in Malta, because according
to tradition, St. Paul used to live in this grotto. The Grotto
is also the foundation of Rabat Parish Church.
Further information:
The St. Paul Tourist Council, Emigrants' Commission, Tel: (
356) 21 222 644, 21 232 545;
The Public Relations Office of the Archdiocese of Malta, Tel:
( 356) 21 241 281, 25 906 203
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