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Which two figures are depicted to the right of Christ in the apse mosaic of the Basilica of Saint Paul, as featured on the 2024 Vatican stamp?

   Peter and Andrew
   Paul and Luke
   John and Barnabas
   Matthew and Mark

Your answer was: Matthew and Mark.


Answer: Paul and Luke

   


The 2024 Vatican stamp commemorating the rededication of the Basilica of Saint Paul prominently features the apse mosaic, a masterpiece of Byzantine-inspired art created by Venetian craftsmen between 1220 and 1227. This mosaic, restored multiple times between the 16th and 19th centuries, is a central visual and theological element of the basilica. At its heart is Christ Pantocrator, flanked by the Greek letters “IC” and “XC,” abbreviations for “Jesus Christ” in Byzantine iconography.

To Christ’s right—a position of honor—stand Saint Paul, whose name is uniquely inscribed in both Greek and Latin, and Saint Luke, the evangelist and author of the Acts of the Apostles, often considered Paul’s biographer. Their placement underscores Paul’s apostolic authority and Luke’s role in preserving his legacy. The scrolls they hold affirm their faith, while the open book in Christ’s hand bears the words of the Last Judgment.

This mosaic is not only a theological statement but also a historical artifact, surviving the 1823 fire and becoming a focal point of the basilica’s reconstruction. The special postmark accompanying the stamp includes the symbols of the book and sword, further emphasizing Paul’s identity as both martyr and teacher of the Word.

The 2024 Vatican stamp, issued on November 4 to commemorate the 170th anniversary of the rededication of the Basilica of Saint Paul, features the stunning 13th-century apse mosaic commissioned by Pope Honorius III and crafted by Venetian masters in the Byzantine style. At its center is Christ Pantocrator, flanked by Saints Paul and Luke, symbolizing the apostolic mission and scriptural legacy of the basilica. The accompanying circular postmark, used at the “Arco delle Campane” post office on November 4–5, 2024, includes a stylized depiction of the book and sword—traditional emblems of Saint Paul—alongside the inscriptions “170° RIDEDICAZIONE DELLA BASILICA DI SAN PAOLO,” “POSTE VATICANE,” and the date of issue.

Reference
• “Apse.” Basilica Papale di San Paolo Fuori le Mura, https://basilicasanpaolo.org/en/apse/.

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