Greetings, Victory Lutheran Family!
Day Two marked the beginning of our cultural journey into the island state of Malta. What a rich history and culture, formed from a mix of heavy Semitic, Roman and some English customs. We began our touring on the road into Valletta, the capital of island. Built originally as a fortress for the nobility that lived on the island hundreds of years ago, the city is teeming with gorgeous architecture, ancient battle towers. And as of today, the most beautiful churches I’ve ever had the blessing of stepping foot in. We started with St. Paul’s Shipwreck Church, which is made in honor of the Apostle Paul and his time with the Maltese people. It dates back to the 1570’s, and was finished in 1582. Ornate paintings, sculptures, columns and more filled my entire view, no matter where I turned. One design that has struck a chord with me, and many of my fellow travelers. is the Maltese cross, which originates from the island. A gorgeous simple symmetrical cross that sprouts into two points on each end, it is a wonderful piece of our faith and its iconography. Iconic truly is the word to describe these churches! Another highlight of St. Paul’s Church’s was the amazing silver sculpt of Paul’s beheading, which behind it includes a silver container which holds the wrist bone of Paul himself!
And after Paul’s church we visited St. John’s Co-Cathedral. Built between 1573 and 1577, the cathedral was massive in comparison to Paul’s Church. It was originally constructed to be the home church of the Knights of St. John, a mediaeval Catholic order that traces its roots back to the Kingdom of Jerusalem in the 12 century. Immediately upon stepping into John’s Cathedral we were greeted by golden lettering and designs dotting the walls and ceilings, with paintings of scenes from Christian and Maltese history. It was simply breathtaking! A highlight for our Lead Pastor, Todd Mathison, was discovering the two massive original Caravaggio’s, an artist that Todd appreciates so much, that he has two prints from the painter back at home in his Church office. What a wonderful little surprise for our Pastor! To finish our day, we visited a home of the last British royal to live on the island, before Malta became independent from the empire in the 1960’s, and we completed our tour at the Saluting Battery located in one of the shaded gardens of Malta. An old military armament which was constructed in the 1560’s after the Great Siege of Malta, the battery is a testament to the island nations deep roots in the battle for Christianity against the invading Ottoman Empire.
To reflect on the journey thus far, it is truly faith-filled and awe inspiring. To see churches that have existed longer than our country back home, and pieces of our faith’s history, it was enlightening. I’m saddened for many of us back in the States, we never get to see these direct connections to our faith, pieces of our history, its struggle to survive in the beginning, but also its beauty and power, that inspired and lead the artist, architects. These churches reflect the power the Holy Spirit has to guide our hands to create truly inspired pieces of art, in the name of the Lord, that have lasted thousands of years. As Pastor Todd said in his sermon before we left, “God’s faithfulness is not bound by time,” and that’s never been more apparent to me than our first day on this pilgrimage. May the Lord bless all of you back home at Victory with the overwhelming power that is His faithfulness for His people, and I can say here in Malta, the proof is everywhere.
Ciao! And stay tuned for our videos of the trip!
