Armenia and Vatican Issue Joint Stamp Marking 350th Anniversary of Mkhitar Sebastatsi

YEREVAN — Armenia and the Vatican have jointly issued a postage stamp commemorating the 350th anniversary of the birth of Mkhitar Sebastatsi, the renowned Armenian scholar, clergyman and founder of the Mekhitarist Congregation.

David Karapetyan, Secretary General of Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, participated in the cancellation ceremony for the stamp, titled “Armenia-Vatican Joint Issue: 350th Anniversary of the Birth of Mkhitar Sebastatsi.”

Speaking ahead of the ceremony, Karapetyan emphasized that Mkhitar Sebastatsi occupies an important place in the educational, cultural and spiritual heritage of the Armenian people. He noted that three and a half centuries later, Sebastatsi’s legacy continues to thrive, influencing not only Armenian studies and education but also the preservation and international promotion of Armenian culture and identity.

Karapetyan also highlighted the importance of preserving and promoting cultural and spiritual heritage in relations between Armenia and the Holy See. He described the joint issuance of the stamp commemorating the 350th anniversary of Mkhitar Sebastatsi’s birth as another symbolic initiative reflecting that shared commitment.

The cancellation ceremony was also attended by Gevorg Mantashyan, Armenia’s Deputy Minister of High-Tech Industry and Artificial Intelligence; National Assembly member Arayik Harutyunyan; Archbishop Ante Jozić, Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See to Armenia; Archbishop Gevorg Noradoungian, Ordinary of the Armenian Catholic Church in Armenia, Georgia, Russia and Eastern Europe; Shushan Aleksanyan, CEO of HayPost CJSC; and Hovik Musayelyan, President of the Armenian Philatelic Association.

The stamp, with a face value of 380 Armenian drams, features Mkhitar Sebastatsi (1676–1749), the prominent Armenian clergyman, scholar, public and cultural figure, Armenologist and founder of the Mekhitarist Congregation. His portrait appears against the backdrop of an engraving titled “View of the Island of San Lazzaro.”