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 Saint Casimir Of Lithuania, 5th Century Of Death Scott 731-732 (1984) March 4 marks the Feast of Saint Casimir of Lithuania. On February 28, 1984, Vatican City issued a series of stamps to commemorate the fifth centenary of the death of St. Casimir. The series consists of two values: 550 and 1,200 lire. Both stamps share a common design based on a sketch by Professor Romas Viesulas. In this design St. Casimir is shown with a halo, dressed in humble garb. In his left hand he is holding a cross and a lily, the symbols of faith and innocence. With his right hand he is raising the monument of the Three Crosses. The Cathedral of Vilna and the royal castle may be seen in the background. Along the top of each stamp are the words PRIMARIVS LITHVANIAE PATRONVS. In the upper left corner of the illustration are the dates 1484 1984. The inscription S. CASIMIRVS is located to the right of the illustration. Along the bottom of the stamps are the words POSTE VATICANE as well as the value. The stamps are vertical in format, measuring 24 x 40 mm. with a perforation of 14 x 14. They were printed in multicolor photogravure and recess on white chalky paper. 950,000 complete series were printed by the Italian State Polygraphic Institute and Mint. This is the second time that St. Casimir has been honored on a series of Vatican City stamps. In 1959. a series of two stamps was issued to commemorate the fifth centenary of his birth (Scott #264-65). Their issuance was delayed due to the death of Pope Pius XII in 1958. The stamps are shown below: 
 Saint Casimir Of Lithuania, 5th Century Of Birth Scott 731-732 (1984) St. Casimir was the third son of King Casimir IV of Poland. He was born at Cracow in 1458. Casimir proved to be far more interested in leading a devout religious life than in participating in affairs of state. In 1471, there was an attempt to make him King of Hungary. This attempt failed, to Casimir's satisfaction. As a result, his enraged father banished him for a time to a castle near Crac-ow. He later served as viceroy of Poland while his father was away in Lithuania. His strong desire to preserve his celibacy led him to reject a proposed marriage with the daughter of Emperor Frederick III in 1483. He died the following year and was buried in the Cathedral of Vilna. During his brief life Casimir became noted for his deep piety, chastity and devotion to the Virgin Mary. In 1521 he was canonized by Pope Leo X. St. Casimir is the patron saint of Poland and Lithuania. This article originally appeared in Vatican Notes, Volume 32, Number 6, May, 1984, pages 4. It has been edited and updated. Please click on the link below to view the original Notes article. REFERENCES: |
