Christians Together in Malta -Malta Ecumenical Council (CTM) held their annual Pentecost Ecumenical Service on 13 June at St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral, Valletta. The theme of the service was: “One Fire – Many Logs.”
It was a beautiful uplifting service, crafted together with the help of several members of CTM. There are currently 27 members in CTM belonging to 10 different Christian churches.
The Chairman of CTM Rev. George-Alexandru Popescu, Romanian Orthodox, was ably assisted by Joe Aquilina, of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement in Malta. The Focolare Movement was officially asked to present one of the items of the service, viz: some reflections from Chiara Lubich on the Holy Spirit.
The service commenced with a welcome from the Chancellor of the Anglican Cathedral, Canon David Wright, and a hymn, “Come down, O love divine” sung by a choir of the Anglican Cathedral.
Rev. Popescu then welcomed the congregation to the service, followed by Byzantine songs about the Holy Spirit sung by members of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. We could follow the English translation.
We were then regaled by a surprise, a song, “Shout to the Lord” sung in Chinese and English by a choir of around 20 youths male and female from the Chinese Christian Church, accompanied by two players on electric pianos. It was really original and beautiful. The families of these youths were also present around 80 persons in all.
After a reading from the Anglican church, two members of the Focolare Movement, Jacqueline England and Enrico Overend, read three reflections by Chiara Lubich on the Holy Spirit. Then a member of the Scots Church read from Acts 2: 1-21. These were followed by a Maltese song ” River” that was sung also in English and Italian. Another reading from the Gospel was read by a member of the German Evangelical Church (Lutheran).
A beautiful homily was delivered by Rev Stephan Attard, Dean of the Faculty of Theology at the University of Malta. He stepped in at the last minute, as the original speaker was unwell.
Another reflection followed by the Serbian Orthodox Church.
We then all recited the Our Father, each in their own language, led by Rev Hector Scerri of the Roman Catholic church.
The final song was sung in Malayalam by members of the Syro-Malabar Church. There were around 20 young men and women who sang “Spirit of the Soul” to beautiful Indian music played on an electronic instrument.
A collection was held during the last song to be given to Medicins Sans Frontiers to help them in their work in war zones.
At the end we had a surprise address by a female Evangelical pastor, who was visiting with her husband. Then Rev. David Wright invited the congregation to refreshments prepared by the Anglican congregation.
It was a beautiful celebration of unity in diversity, all of us united as brothers and sisters in Christ, and so diverse in culture and language. I thank God for this unique experience in which my soul reaches out beyond my church and country, to global love and unity.
Anna Caruana Colombo
Photos courtesy of Rev. A. Popescu
