Postage stamps of the "Madonnas of the Borderlands" series
On Monday, May 31st, Poczta Polska is introducing new stamps from the "Madonnas of the Borderlands" series. Four stamps, each with a circulation of 117,000, will be distributed to post offices across the country, commemorating the sacrifice and dedication of the faithful and priests from parishes in the Eastern Borderlands of the Second Polish Republic.
The author of the project, Agnieszka Sancewicz, presented on stamps images of: Our Lady of Bołszowiec (currently in the Church of St. Catherine in Gdańsk), Our Lady of Mariampol (currently in the Church of St. Mary on the Sand in Wrocław), Our Lady of Consolation of Lviv (currently in the Church of St. Clement M. Dvorak in Wrocław) and Our Lady of Tarnopol (currently in the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary in Poznań).
" With this series, Poczta Polska is reminding us of the tradition and regions where devotion and devotion to the Virgin Mary are still alive. Poles from the former Polish Borderlands, forced to abandon their homes after World War II, took all their belongings, as well as valuable religious objects, with them on their journey into the unknown. Each Madonna taken with them was not only an outward sign of faith and devotion to Poland, but also a living record of the history of local borderland communities. Both clergy and ordinary residents saved them from destruction, often risking their lives in the process, " says Wiesław Włodek, Vice President of Poczta Polska.
During World War II and the years after, many of our compatriots from the former Polish Borderlands—from Podolia, Volhynia, Polesie, and the Vilnius region—were forced to abandon their homes and settle in the so-called Recovered Territories. They took with them into an uncertain future what was most precious—their culture, tradition, and faith, which were inextricably linked to the sculptures and paintings of Madonnas from their former churches and Orthodox churches. Each painting followed a different path and met a different fate, yet they are still inextricably linked by their place of origin.
So far, the "Borderland Madonnas" series has included: in 2018, Our Lady Queen of the Polish Crown from the Archdiocesan Museum in Wrocław, Our Lady of Łuck from the church in Siedlce, Our Lady Queen of the Polish Crown from the church in Gryfino, and Our Lady of Zbarasz from the church in Prałkowce; in 2016, Our Lady of Białokamień, Our Lady Queen of the Polish Crown – Lewacze, Our Lady of Fraga, and Our Lady of Żółkiew; in 2014, Our Lady of Kochawiń and Our Lady of Drohobych.
About stamps:
Designer: Agnieszka Sancewicz
Number of stamps: 4
Value: PLN 4 each
Mintage: 117,000 pieces of each
Printing technique: rotogravure
Stamp format: 40.5 x 54 mm
Paper: fluorescent
Sales sheets: 4 sheets of 9 stamps
Date of introduction into circulation: May 31, 2021