Date of Issue : 11 May 2012
"Visit..." is the theme chosen by PostEurop for this year’s European postal stamps issue. The choice of this wide-ranging theme gives members of the postal association full freedom in interpreting it, whether looking at topics such as travel for tourism or culture, among the many possibilities.
The stamps issued by the Philatelic and Numismatic Office of Vatican City State for EUROPA 2012 stamp issue include the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, symbol of Christianity and destination of religious and cultural pilgrimage for millions of people. Another image is the dove in the window above the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica, a masterful work by Bernini symbolizing the Holy Spirit.
The theme of travel is important for its symbolic value, not as a type of visit for discovering and appreciating artistic beauty, but rather as an experience focusing above all on the spiritual dimension. A true journey is not so much that of a pilgrim going to a specific place of worship, but instead part of a an important path of self-awareness and personal reflection on one’s seeking the Lord. The journey of the faithful to the center of Christianity, to St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, is itself an expression of the evangelization of peoples and the fulfillment of the Church’s universal mission.
Vatican City is the smallest independent state in the world in terms of inhabitants and size. It occupies an area of 44 hectares. The borders are represented by its walls and the travertine pavement curve that joins the two wings of the colonnades in St Peter’s Square. Beyond the proper territory of the State, Vatican jurisdiction also covers some extraterritorial areas within and outside Rome.
Vatican City State was founded following the signing of the Lateran Pacts between the Holy See and Italy on February 11th 1929. These were ratified on June 7th 1929. Its nature as a sovereign State distinct from the Holy See is universally recognized under international law.
The term Vatican was used in ancient times to identify the marshy area on the right bank of the Tiber River, between the Milvio Bridge and the present Sixtus Bridge. During the monarchy and the republican age, the area was known as Ager Vaticanus. It extended northwards as far as the mouth of the Cremera and southwards at least as far as the Janiculum. In the Imperial age, from the 2nd century A.D., the toponym Vaticanum was applied to an area corresponding roughly to the present Vatican City State.
Club News
It refers to my following Post of 13 September 2011 about 41st Asiago International Awards, .which gives details about Asiago awards won by postal administrations.
http://rainbowstampclub.blogspot.in/2011/09/asiago-international-awards-for.html
The following beautiful issue from Switzerland featuring = the Swiss Carnival also received recognition. This information has been sent by one of my readers Harry McCulloch from Wheaton, IL, USA. Thanks Harry for sharing this info.
The Swiss Carnival
Philatelic item collecting month celebrated by Gorakhpur Postal Circle
: Ashwani Dubey - Gorakhpur
