Royal Mail today announced that an original illustration of St Patrick’s Cathedral Armagh will feature as the Second Class Large Class stamp for its Christmas Special Stamps in 2024.
Royal Mail’s 2024 Christmas stamps feature some of the many spectacular cathedrals in the UK – the remaining four completing the set being: Edinburgh; Armagh; Bangor; and Westminster.
The stamps were illustrated by Penzance-based, British artist, Judy Joel, whose popular paintings have been sold worldwide over the last 50 years.
Welcoming the news Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough commented:
“On behalf of the people of Armagh, I am delighted to welcome the news that St. Patrick’s (COI) Cathedral will be featured on this year’s Royal Mail Christmas stamp. This honour reflects Armagh’s rich cultural heritage and the deep historic and spiritual significance of our ecclesiastical capital. We are proud to see such an important landmark from our city celebrated and shared during this special season.”
The Dean of Armagh, the Very Reverend Shane Forster, said: “I am delighted that Royal Mail has chosen St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral in Armagh to feature on this year’s Christmas stamps. The image of the light shining out through the Cathedral’s stained-glass windows, along with young people carol singing and playing in the snow, portrays a lovely traditional winter scene.
“The artist, Judy Joel, is to be congratulated for creating a very special set of seasonal stamps which send out a message of joy and hope at Christmas. The Cathedrals that feature on the stamps stand as symbols of faith at the very centre of each picture and at the heart of their local communities.”
David Gold, Director of External Affairs and Policy said: “Cathedrals are a hugely significant part of our cultural heritage and provide support to their communities. They come into their own at Christmas, offering warmth and welcome to all. These stamps featuring beautiful illustrations of cathedrals from across the UK will spread the joys of this celebratory time of year.”
Christmas is a time of celebration in the midst of winter darkness at all of the United Kingdom’s cathedrals. A cathedral is the seat of a bishop (cathedra in Latin) and the principal church of the diocese, or church administrative area. From St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh, founded by the great Irish saint (originally from Roman Britain) as a monastic community on a hilltop, to Liverpool Cathedral, consecrated a century ago, cathedrals bear witness to history and play a key role in the nation’s spiritual, cultural and social life. With candlelight, festive decorations, magnificent architecture, awe-inspiring art and treasures and sublime music and liturgy, cathedrals are wonderful and welcoming places to visit at Christmas.
St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh (Church of Ireland)
The Church of Ireland Cathedral of St Patrick in Armagh stands on the hill from which the city derives its name: Ard Macha, or the Height of Macha. Patrick, originally from western Britain, came to Armagh in the 5th century and was said to have established here the Great Stone Church, which he ordained should have pre-eminence over all the churches of Ireland. To this day, Armagh remains the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland.
The building has been destroyed and rebuilt on at least 17 occasions, with the construction of the current cathedral beginning in the 13th century. St Patrick’s boasts fine stained glass and monuments and is known for its choral music tradition, going back over a thousand years.
There are two cathedrals in Armagh dedicated to St Patrick. The Church of Ireland one can be recognised by its low, square tower, while the Roman Catholic one has twin spires. They sit on opposite hills, but a Cathedrals’ Partnership links the two congregations and aims to make the two iconic buildings symbols of mutual understanding, reconciliation and hope. At Christmas, the message proclaimed from Armagh is the same as that of the angels over Bethlehem: “Peace on earth, good will to all people.”
Stamp-by-stamp:
St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh
St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, designed by Victorian architect George Gilbert Scott, boldly harks back to upwardly soaring medieval Gothic cathedrals, with its three spires dominating Edinburgh. Consecrated in 1879, St Mary’s is the largest cathedral in Scotland today and maintains the tradition of regular choral worship, never more elaborate than at Christmas.
Liverpool Cathedral
Liverpool acquired an immense new cathedral for the 20th century, designed by the young architect Giles Gilbert Scott. Consecrated in 1924, the cathedral was not completed until 1978. In what is often called the ‘people’s cathedral’, breathtaking heights and a sense of space combine with beautiful craftsmanship.
St Deiniol’s Cathedral, Bangor / Cadeirlan Deiniol Sant ym Mangor
Bangor Cathedral stands where St Deiniol established his Celtic monastery in the 6th century. Battered by medieval wars between the princes of Gwynedd and the English kings, the cathedral now celebrates the languages, cultures and landscapes of Wales. Every Sunday and on Christmas Day, Welsh and English coexist in worship and prayer.
Westminster Cathedral, London
Westminster Cathedral is the largest Roman Catholic church in England and Wales and the seat of the Archbishop of Westminster. It was designed by John Francis Bentley in a neo-Byzantine style and built between 1895 and 1903. Candlelit Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve ushers in the celebration of the birth of Christ.
The stamps, and a range of collectible products, are available to pre-order from today (5 November) at www.royalmail.com/christmas2024 and by telephone on 03457 641 641. A Presentation Pack including all five stamps is priced at £10.35.
