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 Top: Saint Peter’s Basilica (Scott C22-C23, 1953) Bottom: Saint Paul’s Outside the Walls (Scott 306 and 309, 1961) The Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul on November 18. In the United States, this date is also reserved for the Feast of Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne. The dedications of these two papal basilicas share a common feast day, which is appropriate given the roles of the two saints in planting the seeds of Christianity in Rome two millennia ago. The two basilicas honored today share many features of historical, architectural, and spiritual significance, and have been pictured on many stamps issued by Vatican City, some examples of which are shown in this article. As a note, the dedications of the other two papal basilicas are also celebrated on the liturgical calendar: Saint Mary Major on August 5, and Saint John Lateran on November 9. The historical significance of the common date for the feast day is rooted in the fourth century, when the Roman emperor Constantine commissioned the construction of two separate basilicas over the burial sites of the saints to allow for the public veneration of the two great saints who formed the foundation of the early Church of Rome. The construction of the original Basilica of Saint Peter began in 319 and was consecrated by Pope Sylvester on November 18, 326, and the Basilica of Saint Paul was also begun under this pope and was dedicated on November 19, circa 330 AD. The two basilicas are architecturally significant, based on their histories and veneration for over 1700 years. The original Saint Peter’s Basilica fell into disrepair in the mid-second millennium and was torn down under the direction of Pope Julius II in 1506. After a project spanning 120 years, the new Saint Peter’s was consecrated by Pope Urban VIII on November 18, 1626. It stands as an architectural marvel, the largest church in the world and visited by millions of pilgrims each year. From its original structure in the fourth century, Saint Paul’s underwent several renovations and two major reconstructions over the years. After a massive fire destroyed the basilica in 1823, Pope Pius IX consecrated the rebuilt Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, the third basilica built above the saint’s burial site, on November 18, 1854. After all the years, the Basilicas of Saint Peter and Saint Paul Outside the Walls remain important pilgrimage destinations for Christians and non-Christians alike. In addition to today’s shared feast for their basilicas, these saints share a joint feast day on June 29, an important event in Rome and the Vatican each year. Their basilicas serve as focal points for their roles in the establishment of the Church in Rome, and its eventual spread around the world. Here are some examples of stamps depicting the Basilicas: 
 Roman Basilicas Issue of 1949: Saint Paul's (Scott 129) and Saint Peter's (Scott E11) 
 1900th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Saints Peter and Paul Issue of 1967: Saint Peter's (Scott 451) and Saint Paul's (Scott 452) 
 Art Treasures of the Vatican Issue of 1993: Saint Peter's (Scott 917) and Saint Paul's (Scott 920) 
 Holy Year 2000: Saint Peter's (Scott 1137) and Saint Paul's (Scott 1140) REFERENCES: |
