MALTA: Birkirkara - Feast of St Helena 2009

FEAST OF ST HELENA, BIRKIRKARA, MALTA

Birkirkara is one of the oldest towns/villages in Malta. It was already a parish in 1436 and someone found out that it was established as a parish in 1402.

Work on the present Church began in 1727. Thus far the identity of its architect is still a matter of debate among architectural historians. It's majestic facade, is one of the most beautiful we have in Malta. St Helena was the mother of Emperor Constantine the Great and she is credited with finding the True Cross of Christ. She died in the year 330 AD.

The statue of St Helena was carved in wood by Salvu Psaila and was donated to the church by the local patriot Vincenzo Borg, who rose to fame by his leadership during the two-year blockade of the French after the 1798 insurrection. The statue is solemnly carried in procession twice a year: on the third of May in commemoration of the finding of the True Cross by the Empress Saint Helena and on her feast-day, one Sunday after the liturgical feast of 18th of August. This is the only procession in Malta that is held on a morning.

The large bell found in the left hand side belfry tower is Malta's largest church bell and the third largest in the world.

The parish has two band clubs: Banda Duke of Connaught's Own which was established in 1865 and Għaqda Mużikali Sant'Elena, established in 1919.

The background music features segments of the two hymns in honor of St Helena and are played by the two band clubs. The one used by The Duke of Connaught's hymn was composed by Mro Raffaele Rizzi and the one used by Sant'Elena Band Club, Inno di gloria, was composed by Mro Busuttil. At the end, you'll also hear a segment of the Antifona which was composed by Mro Buġeja.

We wish to thank Joe Brincat and Roderick Busuttil of www.kappellimaltin.com for their kind assistance, for some of the photos provided and for the mp3 of the hymns used.

St Helena's Feast is another beautiful feast that adds color to the Maltese Culture.

Photos and movies by Choy Hong (Jasmine) Grech.
Video by Alfred & Jasmine Grech, Mosta, Malta.

Please be aware that the view counters in Youtube are not showing the right viewing. Youtube are aware of the problem but they haven't fixed it yet. As of August 27, this video got stuck at 311 views and didn't move up at all. Checking the insight reading, it got more views than that.

To see a list of all our other videos, please click here;
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=1DFECA9587F4CB4D

© jasalf5959

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[emadorcam]

whenever I visit malta to see my family and enjoy the feast of st Helen..I always think Nahh I have enough pics of Her...But i can't help taking more ,she's magical.:-).Also a bit of Trivia..St helen is patron saint of engaged couples I was told yrs ago:-).

Regards.enjoy the feast and have a drink in our name..a Kinnie or a Shandi:-)

[JasAlf5959]

@emadorcam Just as you, I can't help but keep taking pics of Her and even take some more pics of Her whenever we visit the Church. Re St Helen is patron Saint of engaged couple, I haven't heard about it but would ask the Karkarizi when we visit the feast. Yes, we will have a drink in your name :))

Wishng you and your loved ones and all Karkarizi It-Feast t-tajba.

Jasmine

[emadorcam]

Thanks Jasmine and Alfred, we look forward to this year's video of this feast. yes it's a very solemn one and most of the residents of B"Kara regard it highly.I used to live in the square so each time I see a movie I look out for my house:-).

Regards Doris Camilleri.

[JasAlf5959]

@emadorcam Greetings from Malta. You're most welcome.We enjoyed the B'Kara Feast very much and look forward to this year's feast. The titular statue is so beautiful. In fact, I took many photos of Her, the Parish Church, the Square and also various streets and corners and posted them on facebook. We love visiting your village and do some shoppings there for festive seasons. People there are so friendly incl. the shop owners & workers who are kind and helpful. Warm regards, Jasmine & Alfred.

[emadorcam]

Kemm Kantajtu meta kont zghira.. gibtli hafna memorji..proset.

[JasAlf5959]

@emadorcam Greetings from Mosta.Thank you very much for the compliments. Wishing you il-Festa tajba. Viva Santa Helena!

Warm regards,

Jasmine.

[JasAlf5959]

@PHAMTON49 Greetings from Malta. Thank you indeed for the comment and appreciation. The feast is truly awesome, very solemn and well organized. We have planned to visit this beautiful feast again and doing our best to make a new video recording with our new camcorder. This video was recorded with my digital photo camera which didn't come out that great due to the old software that we used.

Warm regards,

Jasmine

[PHAMTON49]

Left me with a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye . Thank you so much.

[17baj]

tista tghili jekk joghgbok l-antifona min fejn gibta ghax veru sabiha

grazzi

[malpen04]

@ShirleyJean1000 Thanks Shirley. That was last year's feast. Same feast is being celebrated this weekend. The bearers pick up a rhytmic pace which helps them move easier. St Helen statue is made of wood and it's one of the most beautiful we have here in Malta.