Vatican City postage stamps year 1980 Saint Benedict of Nursias MNH full set
🇻🇦 1980 Vatican City – Saint Benedict of Nursia (Patron Saint of Europe)
In 1980, the Postal Administration of Vatican City issued a set of five commemorative stamps marking the 1 500th anniversary of the birth of Saint Benedict of Nursia, the founder of Western monasticism and later proclaimed Patron Saint of Europe.
📅 Issue Date
- 21 March 1980 — issued to align with the anniversary celebration.
📮 Set Details
This issue consists of five multicolored postage stamps featuring artistic depictions of events and themes from the life and legacy of Saint Benedict, drawn from illuminated manuscripts and other historical sources.
| Michel / Scott No. | Face Value (Lire) | Design Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Mi 668 | 80 L | Benedict summoned to lead the community (from codex illumination) |
| Mi 669 | 100 L | Benedict writing his Rule for monastic life |
| Mi 670 | 150 L | A page from Benedict’s Rule |
| Mi 671 | 220 L | Depicts the death of Saint Benedict |
| Mi 672 | 450 L | Monte Cassino abbey (historic Benedictine monastery) |
Note: Scott catalog numbers for this set are #668–672 (corresponding to the Italian / Vatican numbering).
🎨 Design & Significance
- Theme: Honoring Saint Benedict’s life, his Rule for Monasteries, and his central role in shaping Western monastic civilization.
- Patron of Europe: Saint Benedict was designated Patron Saint of Europe by Pope Paul VI in 1964, reflecting his influence on European religious and cultural identity.
- The artwork on the stamps draws from Vatican Apostolic Library codices and other medieval artistic sources related to Benedictine heritage.
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