OBSS: Grand Priory of Malta

L-Għid it-Tajjeb lil kulħadd minn għand il-Gran Mastru u l-Gran Patrun! ☺️🐣

Yesterday, we honoured tradition by accompanying the revered statue of The Burial of Christ, known locally as 'Il-Monument', during the annual Good Friday Procession in Qormi 🕯️ Traditionally reserved for parish priests, this distinguished role was entrusted to our Order's Grand Priory of Malta in 2006 - making this year the 20th anniversary of our continued participation, and a testament to the enduring trust and esteem for our spiritual mission and presence 🙏
OBSS was represented in this solemn procession by the Grand Master Prof. Leonie Baldacchino, the Grand Chancellor Marquis Gr. Cr. Anthony C. Coleiro, the Grand Ceremonist Count Gr. Cr. Christian Wintersteiger, Marquis Gr. Cr. Mario Dingli, Countess Dame Gr. Off. Annamaria Pozzi, Bailiff of Sicily Gr. Off. Lorenzo Albergo, Gr. Off. Carmel Bianchi, Comm. Kevin Attard, Chev. Roberto Silvio, and Squire Matteo Albergo ⚔️

🌸 Happy International Women’s Day to all our remarkable Dames 💖 whose dedication and strength 💪 play an essential role in advancing the mission and values of the Order ⚔️ We also extend our appreciation to our Knights, who recognise and value these contributions and continue to uphold with us the shared principles of respect, partnership, and mutual support 🙏 Together, we remain committed to serving with dignity, unity, and purpose 🤝

On Friday 16 January we held the first OBSS Malta Council Meeting of 2026 and inaugurated our new International Chancery in Attard ⚔️😁 (Please note: we are no longer in Valletta) 🏛️
We were also delighted to celebrate the birthdays of three very special members of our community: our Grand Dame Marchioness Georgina Ventura, our National Hospitaller Marchioness Dame Grace Coleiro, and our Lieutenant Marquis Chev. Raymond Cortis 🍾🥂 Ad multos annos! 🥳🎉
Below are a few photos of the gathering, including the wonderful menu prepared by our friend, the exceptional 🍽️ https://www.instagram.com/chef_dri_bezerra/

COMMUNIQUÉ FROM OBSS INTERNATIONAL CHANCERY
In these first days of the new year, tragically marked by the events that occurred in Crans-Montana, in the Canton of Valais, Switzerland, the Byzantine Order of the Holy Sepulchre wishes to express its deepest and most respectful condolences.
The Order joins in mourning the young lives so cruelly lost, extends its heartfelt solidarity to those who were injured, and expresses its closeness to the Swiss people and to all families affected by this profound tragedy. In this moment of sorrow, pain unites individuals and nations beyond all borders.
May the memory of the victims be preserved with dignity, and may solidarity, compassion, and hope accompany all those who suffer.
Issued on behalf of the Byzantine Order of the Holy Sepulchre,
Marquis Anthony C. Coleiro, KGC
Grand Chancellor
Byzantine Order of the Holy Sepulchre (OBSS)

✨ As 2025 draws to a close, we take this moment to reflect with gratitude on a year shaped by commitment, generosity, and shared purpose 🤝 Thanks to the support of our members, partners, and friends around the globe, we have continued to advance the humanitarian, philanthropic, cultural and ecumenical aims of OBSS ⚔️ We are pleased to share our latest Newsletter, covering the period from December 2024 to November 2025, highlighting key milestones, initiatives, and developments from across the Order 📖 We invite you to take a moment to read it and revisit the work made possible through our collective efforts 👇 Meanwhile, we wish you all a very Happy New Year 2026 🍾🥂🥳

Newsletter Issue 18: Ordo Byzantinus Sancti Sepulchri SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY EDITION: AD 325 - AD 2025

✨ Season's Greetings from the Grand Master and Prince High Patron 😃

🎶 Celebrating Our Young Musicians! 🥁
Today at Ċentru Tbexbix, we proudly awarded Certificates of Achievement to the amazing children of RitmiKA2025! 🤩 A moment of pride, rhythm, and community spirit 👏❤️
💫 Launched in February this year, RitmiKA2025 was conceived by composer Karl Fiorini and coordinated by the Byzantium Foundation (our locally-registered VO) in collaboration with the dedicated team at Ċentru Tbexbix and The Edward de Bono Institute for Creative Thinking and Innovation 💡
🎼 Our mission was simple but vital: to give disadvantaged young people access to creative, high-quality musical training in a space where they can grow, flourish and belong 🌱
🧑‍🏫 Led by percussionist Kurt Calleja under the guidance of renowned musician Ġużè Camilleri, twelve young girls and boys learned to play drums, tambourines and cymbals - progressing from their very first beats to performing a full percussion piece together 🥁🪘🪇
👣 Along the way, they developed confidence, discipline, communication and teamwork… true 21st-century skills that will serve them far beyond the stage 💪😃
🌟 The project culminated in a public performance at Spazju Kreattiv in Valletta during the Malta Festival of Ideas on 6 October, followed by today’s intimate celebration at Ċentru Tbexbix 👏
💶 RitmiKA2025 was co-funded by the Malta Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research & Innovation’s Community Development and Innovation Scheme and the Byzantium Foundation. Although the project has officially concluded, its heartbeat continues: the Foundation has purchased the instruments and continues to fund ongoing sessions at Ċentru Tbexbix - an enduring expression of our Order’s commitment to social and cultural impact ☺️💛
🔎Next steps? Evaluation by the Edward de Bono Institute, helping shape future possibilities and strengthening national conversations about arts access and youth development 🚀🎨

🎉 Celebrating 55 Years of OBSS Malta! 🎊
Today, 24th October 2025, marked the 55th Anniversary of the Foundation of the Order's Grand Priory of Malta ⚔️🇲🇹 To celebrate this milestone, we had the honour of presenting a donation to H.E. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca and Edgar Mifsud in their capacity as President and Vice-President of Fondazzjoni Nazareth. We are proud to be supporting their noble mission of providing residential and community-based care for persons with disabilities 🙂❤️