Archbishop Archives - St John's Co-Cathedral https://www.stjohnscocathedral.com/tag/archbishop/ Fri, 09 Feb 2024 08:07:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.stjohnscocathedral.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/stjohns_favicon-100x100.png Archbishop Archives - St John's Co-Cathedral https://www.stjohnscocathedral.com/tag/archbishop/ 32 32 Employees Join Forces for a Good Cause https://www.stjohnscocathedral.com/2024/02/09/employees-join-forces-for-a-good-cause/ Fri, 09 Feb 2024 08:07:00 +0000 https://www.stjohnscocathedral.com/?p=5518 The post Employees Join Forces for a Good Cause appeared first on St John's Co-Cathedral.

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In an outstanding display of generosity, staff at St John’s Co-Cathedral have come together to support two significant causes of palliative care and breast cancer awareness. This collective effort reveals St John’s Co-Cathedral’s commitment towards social responsibility and creating a positive influence in the community.

‍During the donation presentation Mr. Kevin Attard, Chief People and Administration Officer recognised the staff’s empathy and efforts and commented that “through the spirit of giving, employees have generously donated funds to support two meaningful non-profit organizations: Hospice Malta and Action for Breast Cancer Foundation dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by serious illnesses together with proper support to their families and raising awareness about breast cancer”.

This initiative reflects the shared commitment to the well-being of our community.

 

Join your energy and donate by clicking:

Hospice Malta – hospicemalta.org/supporting-hospice/donations/

Action for Breast Cancer Foundation – www.actionforbreastcancer.com/donate/

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]]> Belfry & Clock Tower Tour https://www.stjohnscocathedral.com/2024/01/22/belfry-clock-tower-tour/ Mon, 22 Jan 2024 07:30:54 +0000 https://www.stjohnscocathedral.com/?p=5495 The post Belfry & Clock Tower Tour appeared first on St John's Co-Cathedral.

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Tempus Adest! The time has come to experience the wonders of timekeeping at St John’s Co-Cathedral. Join one of our guided tours and embark on an unforgettable journey through history.

The history of timekeeping is a fascinating one that dates back to ancient civilisations. There were incense clocks, sundials and water clocks that allowed people to measure the passage of time. These inventions made way for mechanical clocks and pendulum clocks, that led to the electric clock. Perhaps the way we tell the time these days is a bit less exciting since you just check your phone.

At St John’s Co-Cathedral, you can witness the mechanical movements of the clock and the chimes of the bells. Join one of our guided tours to see areas that have been unexplored by visitors. The tour will start through a narrow spiral staircase of 99 steps leading up to the belfry. You will get to see the balcony, the clock room where you will see the mechanical clock in action and hear the bells chime!

Visit the bell tower and clock, hear the bells ring, and enjoy splendid views of Valletta.

 

Guided Tour Information

Tour Duration: 20 minutes

Tour Price: €5 per person

Ticketing: Tickets may be purchased at the door. This tour is only available as a guided tour, please arrive for your tour 5 minutes prior. No children are allowed below the age of 5.

 

Tour Timetable

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday:

First tour: 10:00 AM

11:00 AM

12:00 PM

1:00 PM

2:00 PM

Last tour: 3:00 PM

 

Wednesday and Friday:

First tour: 10:30 AM

11:30 AM

12:30 PM

1:30 PM

2:30 PM

Last tour: 3:30 PM

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]]> New State of the Art Museum project and national monument will make St John’s Co-Cathedral a cultural landmark in the Mediterranean and Valletta’s crown jewel https://www.stjohnscocathedral.com/2023/11/25/new-state-of-the-art-museum-project-and-national-monument-will-make-st-johns-co-cathedral-a-cultural-landmark-in-the-mediterranean-and-vallettas-crown-jewel/ Sat, 25 Nov 2023 14:56:18 +0000 https://www.stjohnscocathedral.com/?p=5482 The post New State of the Art Museum project and national monument will make St John’s Co-Cathedral a cultural landmark in the Mediterranean and Valletta’s crown jewel appeared first on St John's Co-Cathedral.

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The St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation expresses deep disappointment at recent comments made by the Italian Government’s representative, Vittorio Sgarbi, regarding the extension of the St John’s Co-Cathedral museum in Valletta, Malta.

The project aims to create a dedicated space to exhibit the 29 tapestries in one hall, aligning with the original vision of Grand Master Perellos when he commissioned their creation. This project involves significant restoration and construction work within one of Malta’s historically most important monuments.

Throughout the planning and approval process, the Foundation engaged in continuous discussions with various stakeholders, including national planning, heritage, transport and local authorities. The actual permitting approval process was subject to an on-site Advisory Mission and a further expert evaluation by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre’s Advisory Body ICOMOS in 2015 and 2018. Proposed amendments by ICOMOS were meticulously taken onboard in line with an overt commitment to preserving the cultural and historical integrity of the monument.

All decisions and adjustments made to the existing structure were conducted with meticulous care and based on thorough research and investigations to ensure a profound understanding of the site.

The extended museum will not only house the 29 tapestries but will also include spaces for the Cappella Ardente, Choral Books, the silver collection, sacred vestments, and the Caravaggio Centre, which will showcase the life of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio in Malta. Moreover, the project aims to alleviate the strain on the church caused by the influx of daily visitors.

The Foundation remains committed to transparency and collaboration in its efforts to preserve and enhance Malta’s rich cultural heritage.

Photos: The St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation

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]]> The President of the St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation hosts the Archbishop and National Heritage Minister for an Update about the Co-Cathedral’s Projects https://www.stjohnscocathedral.com/2020/10/14/the-president-of-the-st-johns-co-cathedral-foundation-hosts-the-archbishop-and-national-heritage-minister-for-an-update-about-the-co-cathedrals-projects/ Wed, 14 Oct 2020 17:03:53 +0000 http://www.stjohnscocathedral.com/?p=3054 The post The President of the St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation hosts the Archbishop and National Heritage Minister for an Update about the Co-Cathedral’s Projects appeared first on St John's Co-Cathedral.

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On Friday 9 October 2020, Mgr. Prof. Emmanuel Agius, President of the St John’s  Co-Cathedral Foundation, hosted a ‘Stakeholders’ Meeting’ with His Grace Mgr Charles Jude Scicluna, Archbishop of Malta, and Hon. José Herrera, Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government, in the new ‘Caravaggio Wing’, at St John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta. Also present were the Foundation’s Council members and consultants.

Ms Cynthia de Giorgio, CEO / Curator of the Foundation explained the extensive conservation and restoration projects that took place over the last twenty years, and the plans for the extension and refurbishment of the St John’s Co-Cathedral Museum. AP Valletta Architects explained in detail the construction of the new Tapestry Hall and the technical design details of the New Museum. EM Architects then showed an animation for the upgrading of the surrounding streetscape of the Co-Cathedral.

In his opening address, the President of St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation, Mgr. Prof. Emmanuel Agius, noted with satisfaction that St Jerome’s Hall at the Caravaggio Wing, where Caravaggio’s painting of St Jerome will be exhibited for visitors in mid-next year, is welcoming its first visitors for the first time for this special occasion. Thousands of visitors will flock annually to this hall to see the splendid and stunning painting of St Jerome commissioned by Fra Ippolito Malaspina in 1608. The Caravaggio Wing will also house a docu-drama about Caravaggio’s short stay in Malta and audio-visual installations of the painting depicting ‘The Beheading of St John the Baptist’.

The President referred to the autonomy of The St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation which does not form part of the portfolio of the OPM/Ministry or the Archbishop’s Curia. The Government and the Church each have the right to appoint three members, but that does not make the Foundation an extension of a Government Ministry or the Church’s administrative arm. This does not mean that the stakeholders’ wishes are to be ignored or their interests disregarded. Nor does it mean that the Foundation should not inform them about its projects. However, the Foundation has, by law, its own juridical personality separately from its stakeholders.

Mgr. Prof. Agius stated that the two aspects of St John’s Co-Cathedral, namely its unique characteristic of being both a place of divine worship and a historical Baroque monument, should be kept within the right perspective and balance. While the need to attract more visitors to generate more revenue in support of new projects remains important, the Foundation should never lose sight of the original purpose of the Co-Cathedral as a living place of worship which is still in use.

In his address the President referred to the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Foundation’s income. This global crisis is offering new opportunities which the Foundation is tapping in order to sharpen its objectives, aims, strategies and structures.

Mgr. Prof. Agius invited H.G. Archbishop Charles Scicluna and Hon. Minister Herrera to initiate a discussion on the Foundation’s willingness to embark on future restoration and conservation projects of Churches in Valletta built by the Order of St John. When the museum project is completed, the Foundation would be ready to outsource the financial resources generated by visitors to St John’s Co-Cathedral, as well as its experience and expertise, to conserve and restore the Order’s other Churches in Valletta.

The works on the ‘Caravaggio Wing’, which is an extension of the New Museum and located adjacent to the Co-Cathedral, costed €2m, with 80% funded by the European Union under the ‘European Structural and Investment Funds 2014-2020’, while 20% was funded by the St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation.

 

Click here to view the Press Release in English
Agħfas hawn għall-Istqarrija għall-Istampa bil-Malti

 

Photos: The St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation

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]]> Official opening to celebrate the restoration of the Grand Masters’ Crypt at St John’s Co-Cathedral https://www.stjohnscocathedral.com/2020/03/04/official-opening-to-celebrate-the-restoration-of-the-grand-masters-crypt-at-st-johns-co-cathedral/ Wed, 04 Mar 2020 20:10:01 +0000 http://www.stjohnscocathedral.com/?p=3206 The post Official opening to celebrate the restoration of the Grand Masters’ Crypt at St John’s Co-Cathedral appeared first on St John's Co-Cathedral.

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The inauguration and official opening of the Grand Masters’ Crypt was held on Tuesday 3 March 2020, at St John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta.The restoration and conservation project to protect this unique monument was financed by The St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation – a project that amounted to approximately half a million Euro.Those for the inauguration were addressed H.G. Mgr. Charles J. Scicluna – Archbishop of Malta, the Hon. José Herrera – Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government, the President of the Foundation Mr Wilfrid Buttigieg, and Curator/CEO Ms Cynthia de Giorgio.

H.G. Mgr. Charles J. Scicluna,  said that the Knights of the Order of Malta left behind them a very rich patrimony, which is synonymous to the words of Jesus Christ: ’…unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit’ (Jn 12, 24). The Grand Masters have so much importance to their patrimony because they believed in the physical resurrection of the body, and wanted to be buried in the most sacred place of the conventual church of the Order. The Archbishop said that the Crypt holds the best European cultural expression where heritage meets faith.

The Hon. José Herrera mentioned that cultural heritage is priceless as it is a reflection of our history. With this knowledge, a national cultural strategy can be planned and strengthened that will lead to a visionary development for the future. Since there are those who do not value our cultural heritage enough, more awareness is necessary as it is the main source of our identity and national values.  New ways of financing needed to be found for conservation as the management of heritage site creates jobs. He sustained that the Government, together with the Church are committed to The St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation – a success story that is carrying out prestigious restoration and conservation projects. He stressed that the investment in restoration including the protection of artistic jewels that this nation is blessed with is, an added value for tourists.  In the same manner, the environment should be conserved as the Maltese people deserve a better quality of life.

Mr Wilfrid Buttigieg, the President of The Foundation explained that the aim of the organisation was not only to restore, but also to conserve the historical, religious and artistic patrimony which lies at St. John’s Co-Cathedral.  On behalf of the Foundation, he thanked all those involved, for the excellent work done over the years.  He explained that the Grand Masters Crypt brought experts from diverse areas – such as architects, engineers, conservators, art historians and manual skilled workers to work together and achieve one aim. The President also thanked past Council members and the executive team of the Foundation who worked to make the Crypt accessible to the Maltese community at large as well as the numerous tourists who visit St. John’s annually.  Mr Buttigieg concluded by calling upon stakeholders in the field of culture and the arts, the media, the Church and politicians to stand alongside the Foundation in its mission of custodianship and protection of one of Malta’s most prestigious tourist locations and world heritage sites.

The Co-Cathedral’s Curator, Ms Cynthia de Giorgio spoke about the process of restoration and conservation: a process which lasted 15 years. This project started with climate monitoring, to survey the damage of the limestone monuments and tombstones of the Grand Masters. After came the restoration – a delicate process as every artefact needed specific treatment. The restoration process also used some of the latest technology in the field such as nanotechnology. The Curator explained that this was followed by the installation of an Environment Control System to keep constant levels of temperature and relative humidity. With the assistance of 3D digital modelling, the passages for the ducting were identified with the least intervention possible. The Curator expressed her satisfaction for the successful completion of this project that now makes the Crypt accessible for the knowledge and interest of future generations.

The Archbishop blessed the Crypt of the Grand Masters. This inauguration renewed the opening of the Crypt for visitors to the Cathedral which receives more than half a million tourists a year. The Crypt is accessed from a flight of steps from the chapel of the Langue of Provence and see the interior from a viewing platform.

Photo Credit: DOI – Jeremy Wonnacott / Archdiocese of Malta – church.mt and The St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation

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