Children from the Romanian Orthodox Parish of Valletta held a carol concert on Tuesday at the Russian Chapel of the San Anton Presidential Palace in Malta in the presence of the President of Malta and her husband, Dr Anthony Spiteri Debono.
“Although we come from different countries and cultures, we preserve and respect the same Christian faith and values that unite us. These traditions are proof of the power of faith and mutual respect,” said President Myriam Spiteri Debono during the event.
“The concert brought together Romanians from various regions of the country, as well as Maltese and other nationalities, demonstrating that, despite coming from different places, we share the same fundamental values of the Christian faith,” said parish priest Alexandru-George Popescu in a press release for Basilica.ro.
Among the guests were children from the Optimist Club of Malta, an organization dedicated to supporting youth facing educational challenges.
The program included traditional Romanian carols and some carols sung in Maltese and English, symbolizing respect for local culture and harmonious integration into Maltese society.
The choir, consisting of 18 children and 14 adults from the Romanian Orthodox Parish “The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist” in Valletta, wore traditional Romanian costumes. Each costume represented a historical region of Romania.
A Gesture Inspired by Queen Marie’s Childhood
An emotionally charged moment occurred when Romanian children presented President Spiteri Debono with daffodil flowers.
“This gesture was inspired by a special episode from the childhood of Queen Marie of Romania, who lived with her family at the San Anton Palace in Malta between 1886 and 1889,” explained Father Alexandru-George Popescu.
“On Christmas Eve, Marie and her sister, Victoria Melita, whom she affectionately called Ducky, would explore the palace gardens, discovering meadows adorned with daffodils. With joy and enthusiasm, the two princesses would gather bouquets, which they then offered to their mother as symbols of love and gratitude.”
Exchange of Gifts
The President of Malta also received an icon of Saint George the Trophy-bearer from the Romanian community, a gift chosen to highlight the spiritual connection between the two peoples and to celebrate shared values.
“Saint George is a symbol of bravery and justice. I encourage you, dear children, to always possess these qualities, along with faith!” Her Excellency President Myriam Spiteri Debono told the children.
After the concert, all attendees participated in a festive reception at the Presidential Palace. As a token of appreciation, each child in the choir received a book from President Myriam Spiteri Debono.
“The symbolic gestures and the story of the daffodils provided an opportunity for reflection on the historical ties between Romania and Malta, as well as on the Christian values that unite communities, regardless of where they are,” declared the Romanian parish priest in Valletta.
“The Romanian community has shown that, despite living far from home, they keep the tradition of carolling alive and maintain Christian unity.”
The carol concert by the Romanian Orthodox community in Malta, held in the presence of the country’s president, has become an annual tradition since 2020, during President George Vella’s term.
The Russian Chapel and San Anton Palace in Queen Marie’s Childhood
The Russian Chapel at the San Anton Presidential Palace in Malta once served as a place of prayer for Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia and her daughter, the future Queen Marie of Romania.
Queen Marie, granddaughter of Queen Victoria of Great Britain and Tsar Alexander II of Russia, first arrived in Malta at 11. Her father, Duke Alfred of Edinburgh, was then the commander of the British Mediterranean fleet.
Queen Marie fondly remembered Malta, describing it as “the paradise of our childhood.” In her memoirs, she recounted the beauty of the San Anton Palace gardens, full of flowers, especially daffodils and blooming orange trees, whose scent delighted her.
The Romanian Orthodox Parish of Valletta, with the dedication to the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, is housed in the St. Rocco Church on via St. Ursula. Father Alexandru-George Popescu occasionally serves at S. Enrico Mizzi, Ir-Rabat (Victoria), on the island of Gozo.
Photo: Parohia Valletta
