Yesterday Archbishop Charles Scicluna and Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Galea-Curmi welcomed His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew I at the Malta International Airport. This morning, the Patriarch and his accompanying delegation were welcomed by the Archbishop and a number of Maltese bishops at the Archbishop’s Palace in Mdina.

During this visit, the Patriarch and the Archbishop discussed a number of themes of mutual interest, including reciprocal Ecumenical relations, the pastoral care of members of the Orthodox Churches in Malta, the use of Catholic Churches for Orthodox Divine Liturgies, the phenomenon of migration and care for the environment, and the promotion of peace in the Mediterranean and beyond. The two delegations exchanged gifts.

Liturgical celebrations open to the public

The public is encouraged to attend the two main events in Valletta associated with the visit: Patriarchal Vespers at St Nicholas Church (Tal-Erwieħ) tonight, December 5 at 6pm and an ecumenical service at St John’s Co-Cathedral, tomorrow December 6 at 6:30pm. The ecumenical service will be livestreamed on church.mt and Newsbook.com.mt.