• A large gathering of Christians participated in the Diocesan Ecumenical Service on Thursday 21st January 2016 at St Nicholas Church (tal-Erwieħ), Merchants Street, Valletta where Serbian Orthodox and other Orthodox Christians regularly assemble for the Divine Liturgy.

    Archbishop Scicluna who was indisposed was represented by Fr Hector Scerri, President of the Diocesan Ecumenical Commission. At the beginning of the Service, Fr Scerri conveyed the greetings of Archbishop Scicluna, as well as those of Bishop Andrej, Serbian Orthodox bishop of Austria, Switzerland, Italy and Malta.

    Readers from different Christian Churches and Communities took part in the Service. A group of Coptic Christians from Ethiopia and Eritrea took part and sang some religious hymns accompanied by traditional musical instruments.

    The reflection during the Service was made by Andrew Consiglio from Youth Fellowship (Tabgha Foundation) who shared his thoughts on the Scriptural readings used at the Service, highlighting the urgency of all Christians to bear witness and evangelize.

    A particularly striking moment was when those present moved, one by one, towards the Paschal Candle and lit their own candle from it, and tasted some salt. Christ’s words “You are the salt of the earth” and “You are the light of the world” echoed in the hearts and minds of those present.

  • Photos: Curia Communications Office