Floriana parish is holding a symposium to celebrate the 1,900th anniversary of the martyrdom of St Publius on Sunday at The Phoenicia hotel.
From his declaration as patron saint and protector of Malta, by Bishop Tommaso Gargallo during the diocesan synod of 1610, St Publius has been regarded by the Maltese faithful as a central figure in the nation’s history and faith.
The narrative recounted by St Luke in the Acts of the Apostles, and the eminent role assigned to St Publius within the Maltese Pauline tradition, are crowned by ancient testimonies which lay the foundation of the tradition envisaging him as a martyred prince and bishop.
Among the earliest authoritative sources of such a tradition, so marvellously represented by the titular statute of the saint, sculpted by Vincenzo Dimech (1811), one finds the Martyrology authored by St Bede the Venerable, Doctor of the Church and father of English history.
The symposium is a public invitation to all those who wish to learn not only about the story of St Publius but also about what martyrdom means for us as Christians today. The main speakers are Rev. Dr Martin Micallef and Rev. Dr Mgr Hector Scerri.
Dr Micallef will expound the tradition and historical identity of St Publius in his martyrdom, while Dr Scerri’s address will deal with how persecution today is still a reality in many parts of the world.
The event starts at 4.30pm. Bookings may be done via parrocca.floriana@maltadiocese.org or at the St Publius parish church sacristy or parish office.