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gozotoday | FRIDAY • 24 APRIL 2026
CULTURE
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il-Frawli
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F E S T A GĦ A L L - F A M I L J A K O L L H A !
P J A Z Z A S A N P I E T R U U S A N P A W L , I N - N A D U R .
I L -Ħ A D D 3 T A ' M E J J U 2 0 2 6
The Literary Development of the Christian
Hero public talk at Il-Hagar Museum
IN the next public talk at Il-Ħaġar Museum on
Saturday 25 April at 11am, Jonathan
Farrugia, Head of the Department of Church
History, Patrology, and Palaeochristian Ar-
chaeology at the University of Malta, will dis-
cuss the literary development of the Christian
hero.
Every culture and religious tradition con-
structs its own models of heroism, and Chris-
tianity is no exception. Building upon classical
ideals of virtue, endurance, and noble suffering
— already celebrated in Greek philosophical
and literary traditions — early Christianity in-
troduced a distinctive dimension: the concept
of martyrdom and the giving of public witness
(martyria) to the faith. This lecture will explore
how the classical paradigm of the hero was re-
interpreted and "Christianised" in the figure
of the saint. Drawing on selected early hagiog-
raphical texts, it will examine the literary and
theological strategies through which inherited
heroic motifs were transformed, integrated,
and reoriented within a Christian framework
of sanctity.
As always, admission is free but seat reserva-
tions are recommended by sending an email to
events@heartofgozo.org.mt.
The talk will be held on 25 April at 11am at Il-Hagar Museum
