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 The Baptism of Christ From the Restoration of the Sistine Chapel Issue Scott 1172 (2001) The Sunday following the Feast of the Epiphany marks the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord on the Liturgical Calendar. In 2025, the Feast falls on January 12. One depiction of the event can be seen in the stamp above, taken from the four-stamp set that was issued in 2001 illustrating artwork involved in the restoration of the Sistine Chapel. Scott 1172 displays the fresco by Pietro Perugino of Christ's baptism by Saint John the Baptist in the River Jordan. The baptism of Jesus Christ is generally pegged to have taken place sometime from 28 AD to 29 AD, and is tied to the start of John the Baptist’s ministry and the recorded life of Christ as presented in the Gospels. Along with Christ’s crucifixion, His baptism is known with historical certainty. In earlier times, the Baptism of Christ was celebrated as part of the Feast of the Epiphany, which is also called the ‘Theophany’ in the Eastern Church. Defined as the “manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi”, or his revelation as God incarnate, the Epiphany includes three distinct events: the coming of the Magi, the baptism of Christ, and the wedding at Cana. Starting in 1955, at the direction of Pope Pius XII, the celebration of the baptism of the Lord came to be commemorated as a distinct feast. Since His baptism occurred long after the visit of the Magi (which is often misinterpreted as the single event of the Epiphany), a separate liturgical commemoration was established. This feast is commonly scheduled on the first Sunday following the Feast of the Epiphany. The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord also closes out the Christmas time calendar. The Baptism of the Lord has been depicted on three stamps issued by Vatican City. In addition to the stamp from 2001 displayed at the top of this article, in 1996, as part of a four-stamp series entitled “Towards the Holy Year 2000”, Scott 1015 shows an illustration of His baptism in the River Jordan taken from illuminated manuscripts preserved at the Vatican Apostolic Library:  Towards the Holy Year 2000 Scott 1015 (1996) In 1999, as part of an eight-stamp set issued in advance of the opening of the Holy Door in Saint Peter's for Holy Year 2000, Scott 1130 shows a panel from the door showing the baptism (displayed on left side of panel):  Opening of the Holy Door in St. Peter's Scott 1130 (1999) REFERENCES: |
