How the Maltese became Christians
How the Maltese became Christians?
Unfortunately the Maltese people, in those days, did not believe in the true God. Many still worshipped the strange religion of the Phoenicians, Carthagians or the false gods of their conquerors, the Romans.
The Shipwreck of St. Paul
Saint Paul was the greatest of the pioneers of the Christian Religion. He was one day imprisoned at Jerusalem and then sent to Caesarea by the roman captain of the cohort because the Jews clamoured for his death. Saint Paul appealed against them and demanded a trial before the Roman Emperor. His demand could not be refused and he was sent captive to Rome. On the way, his ship was caught by a strong gale and Saint Paul told the Centurion that everybody would be saved but the ship would be lost.
"We must be cast upon a certain island."
"When we escaped we knew that the island was called Melita"*
*This word is perhaps a derivation of the Greek word "Meli" or the Latin word "Mel" both words mean honey, for which the Island was renowned.
The Apostle and all those who were shipwrecked with him, received a cordial welcome from the Maltese people. During his stay in Malta, Saint Paul preached the Gospel and established Christianity among the Maltese. He healed the father of "Publius", the first man of the island, who, according to the Acts of the Apostles, "lay sick of fever and dysentery". Â Saint Paul consecrated "Publius" as the First Bishop of Malta.