Date of issue: 27 April 2007

The series of events linked to the 80th stamp day is to be held in the headquarters of the Association on 27-29 April 2007. Two outstanding personalities, Saint Emeric and Saint Elisabeth of the house of Árpád, are to be depicted on the 2007 stamp day issues on the occasion of the anniversary of their birth and in honour of their memory.

Saint Emeric of Hungary was born 1000 years ago. He was born around 1000 and 1007 as the son of Saint Stephen and Blessed Giselle in Székesfehérvár. From the age of seven he was educated by bishop Saint Gerhard and instructed as the successor to the Hungarian throne. He offered his complete spiritual and physical purity to God in the chapel of Saint George in Veszprém, but even in the royal court he became a saint of prayer, seclusion and total renunciation. He died in tragic circumstances on 2 September 1031. He was canonised at the same time as Stephen I and bishop Gerhard by pope Gregory VII on 4 November 1083. Even today for young people who wish to do good, he acts as an example with his pure and pious life. The surcharged miniature sheet depicts Saint Emeric at prayer. In the frame drawing in the foreground Saint Emeric is being placed in his tomb, with Esztergom and its castle shown in the background. The first day cover features a drawing of Saint Emeric. The special cancellation stamp graphic design shows the coat of arms of the House of Árpád. All those who purchase the miniature sheet support organised stamp collecting with the amount of the surcharge (HUF 200). The surcharge may not be used for payment of postage.

Saint Elisabeth was born 800 years ago. She was born of the marriage between king Andrew II of Hungary and Gertrude of Andechs-Merania in 1207. Already at the age of 4 she was taken to live at the castle of Wartburg. In 1221 she was married to Ludwig IV of Thuringia. She loved her husband faithfully and as a devoted Christian she was known for her prayer and her acts of mercifulness. Her charity was supported by her understanding husband, however, he died young in 1227. The jealous relatives expelled Elisabeth and her children from the castle of Wartburg with her exile lasting three years. In 1228 she took on the robes of the Third Order of Saint Francis. She died at the age of 24 on 17 November 1231. She was canonised by pope Gregory IX in 1235. Scenes of the charitable acts and miracles in connection with the life of Saint Elisabeth are depicted in the stamp series. The HUF 62 denomination stamp shows her caring for the sick and the HUF 92 stamp shows her caring for the poor. The backgrounds of the stamps show the castle of Bratislava and the castle of Wartburg. The first day cover features Saint Elisabeth. The special cancellation stamp graphic design shows the coat of arms of the House of Árpád.
Source: www.plebania.net

Order code:
2007160030011/miniature sheet
2007160060012/miniature sheet-FDC
2007150050211/series
2007150060012/series-FDC

Date of issue: 27 April 2007
Printing procedure: Offset
Printing press: Állami Nyomda Nyrt
Nominal value of m/s: HUF 500+200 Total nominal value of series: HUF 157
Number of copies: 80,000 serial numbered m/s, Number of copies: 450,000 series
Cut/perforation size: 74 x 60 mm / 40 x 31.5 mm
Perforation size: 40.29 x 35 mm
Graphic designer: Ferenc Svindt