2021, March 22. 500 Years of Christianity - Diocese of Maasin
Limasawa: A Gift of 500 Years of Faith & Discipleship
Litho Offset, Amstar Printing Company, Inc., Perf 14
Se-tenant Pairs, Sheets of 40, Commemorative SK Miniature Sheet of 4
Se-tenant Pairs -
12p 500 Years of Christianity
12p Limasawa, 500 Years of Faith
First Day Covers: Manila
500 Years of Christianity - Diocese of Maasin
Limasawa: A Gift of 500 Years of Faith & Discipleship
The First Easter Sunday Mass on the archipelago was held by Fr. Pedro de Valderrama on March 31, 1521, a day or so after Ferdinand Magellan and his fleet set anchor near the area. The small island just below Leyte was referred to as “Mazachua” by Antonio Pigafetta, the Italian explorer and scholar chronicling the ambitious expedition led by Magellan. The people present on Limasawa extended their hospitality to the voyagers, receiving and hosting them in peace.
Today, Limasawa presents its proud heritage. Though minute compared to other islands surrounding it, Limasawa was first to bear the banner of Christianity in the Philippines when it became the template for which that faith could be propagated on this distant land.The stamps and official first-day cover prominently display the quincentennial logo adopted by the Diocese of Maasin, captioned “500 Years of Christianity - Diocese of Maasin: Quincentennial of the First Easter Mass in Limasawa”. It features a priest raising the Holy Eucharist, which is the core of these commemorations for the Catholic Church.
On the official first day cover, the logo is set on a retablo of the First Mass at the Sanctuary of the Parish Church of the First Holy Mass and Holy Cross Parish in Barangay Triana, Limasawa Island.
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