MaltaMedia.com

The Maltese Islands on Tuesday are celebrating the 8th September commemorating the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin which is remembered universally by the Catholic Church. The Maltese have a further reason to celebrate the 8th September also traditionally known as Victory Day or Jum il-Vitorja; in remembrance of the victories against the Turks in Great Siege of 1565 and against the Italians in 1943 during the World War II.

Activities to mark the National and Public holiday commenced on Monday with the laying of wreaths on the WWII memorial in the Addolorata Cemetery in Marsa. However the celebrations reached their pinnacle on Tuesday with a concelebrated mass at St. John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta at 1000CEST led by Archbishop Pawlu Cremona and attended by Malta’s highest authorities including the President of Malta Dr. George Abela and Mrs. Abela.

In his homily, Archbishop Cremona said that our society needs an ethical orientation to defend moral and social values to avoid them from crumbling as this could have grievous consequences on individuals and society in general. The Archbishop reminded that when the Maltese Constitution was formulated, the Maltese chose Catholicism to be the religion of the State and the criterion for the truth.

After mass, the President of the Republic laid wreaths on the Great Siege monument in Valletta, in remembrance of the 1565 battle.

Prior to the concelebrated mass, the Band of the Armed Forces of Malta marched into Valletta playing a string of tunes fitting for the feast.

In the afternoon, weather permitting numerous people are expected to flock to the Grand Harbour to watch the traditional Regatta boat races which starts at 14:00CEST. Senglea won the shield.

Favourite Channel News reports in pictures:

Maltese towns such as Senglea, Naxxar, Mellieha and Xaghra in Gozo commemorate the 8th of September and the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin. The feast is celebrated in an array of religious activities, traditional Maltese sweets, fireworks, colour and a general merriment that pervades throughout the festa.

Favourite Channel News goes back in time to give an account of the Great Siege of 1565.