Saint Publius

Saint Publius was born in the first century, likely on the island of Malta, where he held a position of leadership and was known as the “chief of the island.” When the Apostle Paul was shipwrecked on Malta, Publius welcomed him with generous hospitality, receiving him and his companions for three days. Through this providential meeting, Publius encountered the Gospel firsthand: after Paul prayed and laid hands on Publius’ father—who was suffering from fever and dysentery—the man was healed. Tradition holds that Publius’ heart was opened to Christ, and that his conversion helped plant the Church in Malta, remembered as a decisive beginning of Christian faith in the West. Honored as Malta’s first canonized saint, Publius is revered as the first Bishop of Malta and is also associated with the early Church in Athens. He is remembered as a faithful shepherd who ultimately gave his life for Christ, martyred during imperial persecution around the second century. Saint Publius is patron of Floriana and one of the patron saints of Malta. His feast day is January 21.