Armenia and Vatican Released Joint Postage Stamp
The stamp honors the 350th anniversary of the birth of Mkhitar Sebastatsi through a collaboration.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Catholicism
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Armenia and the Vatican have issued a joint postage stamp to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the birth of Mkhitar Sebastatsi. The design features Sebastatsi alongside an engraving of the island of San Lazzaro.
Why it matters
The issuance serves as a symbolic tribute to the historic partnership between Armenia and the Holy See. It also highlights the intellectual and religious legacy of Sebastatsi, who founded the Mekhitarist Congregation.
The commemorative stamp bears a face value of 380 drams. The design incorporates an engraving of San Lazzaro island, a location central to the history of the Mekhitarist Congregation.
The players
Mkhitar Sebastatsi
He was an Armenian Catholic monk who founded the Mekhitarist Congregation in 1700.
Mekhitarist Congregation
This is a congregation of Benedictine monks of the Armenian Catholic Church known for preserving Armenian literary heritage.
National Academy of Sciences
This is the highest scientific organization in Armenia that hosted the commemorative ceremony.
The details
The stamp was officially put into circulation at the National Academy of Sciences during a formal ceremony. Representatives from the Holy See and Armenian officials participated in the cancellation of the issue.
Timeline
The Mekhitarist Congregation is observing its 326th anniversary in 2026.
The stamp issuance ceremony took place on September 28, 2026.
Culture Shift
This collaboration mirrors the long-standing efforts of the Armenian Catholic Church to maintain its cultural identity through international engagement. It follows the pattern set by the 1,700th anniversary of Armenia adopting Christianity in strengthening diplomatic ties with the Vatican.
Collectors and individuals interested in religious history can now acquire the commemorative stamp through standard philatelic channels. The stamp serves as a tangible piece of the ongoing diplomatic cooperation between the Holy See and Armenia.
The takeaway
This joint project highlights the enduring influence of 18th-century religious scholars on modern diplomacy. Collectors often view such collaborative issues as markers of specific geopolitical milestones between the issuing nations.
Further reading
Learn more about the history and international presence of the Catholicism faith.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Armenpress.
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