St Paul- Mellieha, Malta
Posted by: 
arby101ca
N 35° 57.622 E 014° 21.692
33S E 442427 N 3979740
At the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieha, is a large statue of St. Paul who converted the Maltese to Christianity when shipwrecked on Malta.
Waymark Code: WM8GY8
Location: Malta
Date Posted: 04/01/2010
Views: 18
On Malta St Paul is recognized in many ways: St Paul's statue on St Paul's Island in St Paul's Bay, St Paul's grotto in Rabat where he lived for the winter, St Paul's Church above the grotto, St Paul's Shipwreck church on St Paul's Street Valletta, etc.
This stature in Mellieha is a classic image of St Paul, holding the bible with a snake at his feet. There are no venomous snakes on Malta. The story continues saying St Paul took the venom from the snakes. Some say he put it on the tongues of Maltese women.
Here is the relevant section from the Acts of the Apostles (KJV)
"And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita (Malta). And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.
In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously. And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed: Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary."
Associated Religion(s): Roman Catholic
Statue Location: The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Melieha, below the large domed church and above the chapel in the lower grotto.
Entrance Fee: None
Artist: Unknown
Website: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Take a picture of the statue. A waymarker and/or GPSr is not required to be in the image but it doesn't hurt.