On December 3, 1987, Vatican City issued a series of three stamps commemorating the ninth centenary of the transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas from Myra (now Demre, Turkey) to Bari, Italy.
One of the Christian world's most popular figures, St. Nicholas was born at Patara in Lycia (Asia Minor) ca. 270. The only son of a wealthy family, he became famous for his great charity and piety. As bishop of Myra, (southwestern Asia Minor) his pastoral zeal and the working of numerous miracles made him particularly prominent among his flock. He died between 345 and 352, and was buried in the church of Myra. In 1087, citizens of Bari dressed as peasants secretly transported his remains to their city in southeastern Italy. Believing he would empower them, the townspeople chose him as its patron and erected a basilica in his honor. Although he had lived in the East, devotion to St. Nicholas spread rapidly throughout the West. Many other cities chose him as a patron, as did Greece and Russia. St. Nicholas is also the patron of children, merchants, and sailors. In addition, his generosity inspired the model for the very popular Santa Claus figure. Catholics celebrate his feast day on December 6th.
The 3,000-lire stamp features an image of the miraculous rescue of a ship by St. Nicholas.
The vertical stamps measure 30 x 40 mm and have a perforation of 13 1/4 x 14. The Italian State Polygraphic Institute and Mint printed 500,000 complete series on white chalky paper in multicolor rotogravure print. The stamps were issued in sheets consisting of eight stamps and sixteen letter seals. The sheets measure 20 x 18 cm. The denomination appears in the upper left corner of each stamp, and in the upper right corner appears the inscription SAN NICOLA DI BARI. At the right appear the dates 1087-1987, and along the bottom appear the words POSTE VATICANE. Luca Vangelli designed the stamps and letter seals.
The letter seals portray some of the popular images of St. Nicholas as an individual who, on Christmas Eve, brings presents and sweets to all children. These images include those of Santa Claus, the bearded bishop, and Father Christmas.
Crimando, Thomas. "Relics of St. Nicholas." Vatican Notes 36, no. 5 (March 1988): 8, 9.
